Crew safe after container fire on APL Le Havre off India coast

The APL Le Havre blaze is the latest of several containership fires this year and comes at a time when a number of shipping lines are cracking down on misdeclared dangerous goods.

Last week Hapag-Lloyd announced it will implement a $15,000-per-container penalty for misdeclaration of hazardous cargo prior to shipment.

Evergreen also has decided to increase penalties for misdeclared cargo. A notice from the Taiwanese carrier reproduced on the Loadstar news site said a penalty of $35,000 may be imposed if an amendment is “forced by Evergreen Line who found in usual checks concealment, omission or misdeclaration of any particular in description of goods” that are hazardous. Evergreen also proposes heavy fines for misdeclared waste commodities or nonhazardous cargo with special declaration requirements.

Hyundai Merchant Marine and OOCL also have said they will impose penalties for misdeclared cargo, according to the website Splash.

In an August 8 customer advisory, Maersk said it will require shippers of dangerous goods to confirm using a check box that their cargo has been correctly declared, stuffed safely in containers and that they are aware their containers may be opened and inspected.