Zhangjiagang Maritime Safety Authority penalised an international container shipping agent with a fine of Rmb30,000 on 18 October for failing to declare six containers of zinc oxide (UN code 3077), a white powder insoluble in water.

On 20 and 26 September, MSA officials discovered the containers during a random inspection. After investigation, they confirmed that the substance was ‘harmful to the environment, particularly aquatic organisms and should have been declared to the MSA as dangerous cargo’. A Mr Chen, an employee of the international shipping agency that handled the paperwork of the cargo, was handed the fine.

This is the first time Zhangjiagang MSA has discovered undeclared dangerous cargo in containers.