NEW GLOBAL MEASURES - AVOIDANCE OF CONTAMINATION OF CONTAINERS (UPDATE 17)

PLEASE NOTE - the development of new global measures for the avoidance of contamination of sea containers by invasive pests and cargoes will have a significant impact on international trade operational and reporting practices.

REFER:
UPDATE 16 - Global Shippers Forum opposes Draft ISPM
UPDATE 15 - Draft RSPM and Pacific Strategy for Sea Containers
UPDATE 14 - Update on recent developments
UPDATE 13 - Global Shippers Forum Update
UPDATE 12 - Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Recommendations
UPDATE 11 - FTA/APSA Submission to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
UPDATE 10 - Outcomes of the 2nd IPPC Workshop on Pest Risk Mitigation of Sea Containers 
UPDATE 9 - Revised structure of sea containers
UPDATE 8 - IPPC CPM draft recommendation released
UPDATE 7 - Bi-lateral engagement with the World Shipping Council
UPDATE 6 - Conference - Sea Container Cleanliness (Brisbane)17 to 19 July 2023
UPDATE 5 - International Developments
UPDATE 4 - World Shipping Council Proposal
UPDATE 3 - Container Cleanliness Working Group and IPPC Brisbane Conference
UPDATE 2 - 'Safeguarding Continuum' and associated 'Custodial Responsibility'.
UPDATE 1 - Verified Pest Prevention (VPP) declarations

Through membership of the Global Shippers Forum (GSF), Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have received advice of the outcomes of the recent in-person meeting of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Focus Group on Sea Containers.

Importantly, the Focus Group did not endorse the development of a new International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) that could have enabled National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) to introduce mandatory container cleanliness requirements through domestic legislation.

Throughout the consultation process, GSF consistently expressed concern that mandatory measures, including shipper cleanliness declarations and compulsory washing of containers before each use, would introduce unnecessary regulatory and operational burdens without delivering proportionate biosecurity outcomes.

Instead, the Focus Group agreed to progress a package of practical and collaborative initiatives, including:

• development of improved pest-resistant container design standards;
• publication of a revised Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code);
• development of voluntary custodial responsibility arrangements by GSF and the World Shipping Council;
• recognition schemes for accredited shippers; and
• enhanced education and awareness initiatives to reduce the risk of pest contamination.

These recommendations will now be incorporated into the Focus Group's Final Report for consideration by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) at its April 2027 meeting.

Members interested in these developments are encouraged to attend the 2026 Australia & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference in Sydney on 27–28 August 2026, where James Hookham, Director of the Global Shippers Forum (GSF), will provide first-hand insights into the international negotiations and the outcomes of the IPPC Focus Group on Sea Containers.

James will join:

• Rama Karri, Director International Collaborations – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry
• Sal Milici, General Manager – Trade Policy & Operations – Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) / Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA)
• Sina Waghorn PhD, Team Manager, Aquatic & Environment Approvals & Advice – New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries

Together, the panel will examine the proposed Regional Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (RSPM) and broader global initiatives relating to the safe movement of shipping containers, with a focus on practical measures to improve container cleanliness, reduce biosecurity risks and support efficient international trade.

Conference registrations are now open – REGISTER HERE.

FTA/APSA will continue to monitor these developments closely through ongoing engagement with GSF and international stakeholders, keeping members informed as the recommendations progress towards consideration by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures and as further details emerge on their implementation and implications for international trade.

Sal Milici - Licensed Customs Broker
General Manager - Trade Policy & Operations - FTA | APSA
Copyright © 2026 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.