Coast Guard found hazardous materials in inbound containers

The United States Coast Guard is seriously looking at pursuing civil penalty action against importers and exporters of hazardous materials found in Saipan-bound containers during an inspection last week.

The random inspection was held to check whether importers and exporters are in compliance with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, International Safe Container Act, and Ports and Waterway Safety Act.

U.S.C.G. Saipan officer Michael Leon Guerrero said they have inspected about 14-16 containers at the Saipan International Harbor, adding that majority of the containers inspected did not contain hazardous materials.

“It is the responsibility of the importer to inform their exporters on the existing laws that pertain to the entry or shipment of hazardous materials when they order something from off-island,” Mr. Leon Guerrero said.

He added that knowledge and proper compliance with the existing laws would eliminate any unnecessary delays in receipt of shipment and potential civil penalties.

However, the Coast Guard detected numerous hazardous materials and serviceability violations that ultimately delayed the delivery of inbound freight from the stevedore container yard.

Authorities did not say what specific hazardous materials were discovered in the inbound containers that were subjected to random inspection last week.

“Due to the severity of these violations, the U.S. Coast Guard is considering civil penalty action, which has the potential for up to $27,500 per violation,” Coast Guard officials said.

Due to the high violation rate noted during last week’s inspection, the Coast Guard is set to conduct more frequent inspections on intermodal freight containers to ensure compliance with existing laws on the transportation of hazardous materials.

Coast Guard officials said the hazardous material regulation aims to promote public safety, as well as the safety of those whose occupation involves the transportation of hazardous materials.

Importers and Exporters are also asked to comply with the ISCA which says that any container used for movement in international transport without valid safety approval plate attached is deemed unsafe.

The U.S. Coast Guard Container Inspection Program is the only U.S. Department of Transportation compliance program that routinely inspects hazardous materials at commercial seaports.