Fumigation prior to loading

Ship’s Masters are usually quite familiar with those cargoes which may need fumigation. However, Masters need to be careful when accepting the advice of load port agents that cargo has already been fumigated.

Fumigation of cargo ashore prior to loading often takes place directly alongside newly-harvested cocoa beans which have not been processed or fumigated. As fumigation often occurs a significant period of time before actual loading, there is ample opportunity for reinfestation. Further, whereas fumigation sometimes takes place at the port silo it is the case that the port fumigation systems are not always efficient. Masters should not accept unquestioningly advice from shoreside that a cargo has already been fumigated and is infestation free. They must therefore make up their own mind as to possible infestation following the usual inspection of the cargo as it comes on board. This advice is particularly relevant to cocoa beans shipped from Palu and Makassar.