A Watchdog program developed jointly by Hapag-Lloyd’s IT and dangerous goods experts registered considerably more incorrectly declared dangerous goods last year, compared to 2014.
The point to be noted is that it has identified 4,314 incorrectly declared dangerous goods cases last year. This is an increase of 65 percent on the previous year’s figure of 2,620 cases.
Experts found that there were more than 236,000 suspicious cases picked up by the safety software which is an increase by 46 percent over previous year.
Ken Rohlmann, head of the dangerous goods department at Hapag-Lloyd feels that the increase is due to either ignorance or a deliberate effort to save money or circumvent restrictions imposed by the shipping company or port. Thus they create a serious threat not only to the crew and customers but the environment also. If this is not handled properly, cargo which might look harmless can be a big danger even to life.
Thus Watchdog has made its identity among customs and port authorities, police, as well as from other shipping companies.
Source: Hapag-Lloyd
