New Service Announcements

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GRI - GENERAL RATE INCREASE
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For Immediate Release
Hazardous Cargo Declarations
2.11.03

Dear Customers,

2003 brings new challenges to the international exporting community. Proposed legislation in Congress calls for heightened security at all of our seaports. Ports are calling for more and more containers to be scanned for potential hazards. Steamship lines are now calling for stricter adherence to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG). Some railroads have even imposed a hazardous surcharge for all ocean containers.

In recent months, we have been experiencing delays in the movement of cargo due to various differences in packaging types used on hazardous shipping documents.

As the "Shipper of Record" with Direct Container Line (DCL), you are required by 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), subpart C 172.200-172.204 and section 9 (amendment 29) or section 5 (amendment 30) of the IMDG to provide Direct Container Line (DCL) with a certified shipping paper (hazardous declaration/Master Bill of Lading) for all hazardous materials. We in turn are required by the same federal and international regulations to pass this information to the next Intermodal carrier.

To help facilitate the speedy approval and acceptance of your hazardous documents, we are providing a list of the proper packaging descriptions from the 49 CFR and the IMDG Code.

Outer Packaging:
Drums Jerricans
Boxes Tank
Bags Cylinders
Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)
Unit (for batteries, autos and refrigeration machines)

(Note: that 'cartons' and 'pails' are not on this list and are therefore not acceptable as a packaging description.)

Inner Packaging Receptacles:
(Note that this is a brief list of inner packaging descriptions. A more extensive list can be found in the 30th Amendment to the IMDG Code.)
Glass Fibre
Plastic Rubber
Metal Textile
Paper Wood

Shipments consigned as "Limited Quantities" should state the type and number of inner packages. Please note that you may be required to provide this information to ensure a pre-clearance from a steamship line, a steamship line partner carrier or port authority.

Please note that 49 CFR and IMDG are very clear on documents required. All Hazardous Documentation must include:

1. Proper Shipping Name as per the IMDG (NOS entries must include technical name)
2. Hazard Class Number
3. UN Number
4. Packaging Group
5. Number of Packages
6. Type of Packages (a pallet/skid is not a package type)
7. Weight
8. Emergency contact telephone number (both International and Domestic direct dial numbers are required.
9. A legible signature

Supplementary information is applicable: flash point - marine pollutant - limited quantity-exemption number - reportable quantity - dangerous when wet

The IMDG page number is not required but is sometimes requested.

It is imperative that our booking and your Hazardous documentation match exactly! If any information changes please contact your Customer Service Representative to revise the booking right away.

Further information can be found at the below websites. IMO packaging instructions and tables can be found under part 4, Vol. I of the IMDG Code (Amendment 30) or at the beginning of each hazardous class Vol. II-IV of Amendment 29.

Regulatory Web Sites:

U.S. Department of Transportation
www.hazmat.dot.gov
International Maritime Organization
www.imo.org

We appreciate your business, and want to thank you for all of your support!

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