Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), is advising of Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) regulations for vessels arriving at North American ports this summer issued by the US Department of Agriculture and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Asian Gypsy Moth is a serious pest that can be carried on the superstructure of ships and cargo and is prevalent in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea and N. China. US and Canadian authorities intercepted a large number of vessels with AGM egg masses arriving in North America last year and are forecasting another year of high risk in 2014.
Where vessels arrive without the required AGM documentation or on detection of AGM there can be significant delays in cargo loading or discharging activities. ISS is warning that it is the responsibility of shipping lines to meet all requirements for entry to the US and Canada.
For vessels which have called on areas regulated for AGM during the specified periods, as outlined in Table 1, the following measures are required:
- Vessels must be inspected and obtain pre-departure certification from a recognized certification body located in a regulated area and forward a copy of the certificate, stating that the vessel is free of Asian gypsy moth life stages, to their U.S or Canadian agents. The inspections should be performed as close to departure time from the regulated port as possible.
- Vessels must arrive to North American ports free from AGM. To avoid facing inspection delays, re-routing and other potential impacts associated with mitigating the risk of entry of AGM to North America, shipping lines should perform intensive vessel self-inspections to look for, remove (scrape off) and properly dispose of or destroy all egg masses and other life stages of AGM prior to entering U.S. and Canadian ports.
- Vessels must provide two year port of call data, at least 96 hours prior to arrival at a North American port, to the Canadian or U.S. agent. The agent will ensure that this information is provided to U.S. and Canadian officials.
The U.S. and Canada are in full agreement on the requirement for AGM pre-departure certification and vessels arriving free from all AGM life forms (egg masses, pupae, adults), although due to sovereign regulations and policies, there are differences in port-of-entry processes between the two countries.
Local inspection authorities in the port of entry should be contacted for any questions regarding AGM import requirements or clearance procedures. ISS customers can email Mark.Pippin@iss-shipping.com with any queries.
The USDA website also provides further information: http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USDAAPHIS/2014/03/11/file_attachments/276908/2014%2BAGM_industry_notice.pdf
Notes to Editors
Inchcape Shipping Services is the world’s leading maritime services provider. With over 300 proprietary offices in 66 countries, and a workforce of over 3,800, the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.
ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated marine services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.
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