Port agents in Germany are reported to have two cases where a US$50,000 fine has been levied by the police for passenger vehicles that are not completely emptied of fuel.
In an update from IAMTrusted member Andreas Christ Spredition and Mobeltransport, the company was alerted by their port agents that authorities are strictly adhering to regulations that demand a fuel tank is completely empty of fuel. The rule, which has historically been overlooked, has been enforced by Hamburg Water Police who inspected a container and levied the US$50,000 fine due to undeclared dangerous goods in a sea container. The import container will only be released in Germany after payment has been made.
A statement from Hamburg Water Police reads, “According to SV 961.3 of the IMDG Code, the fuel tanks of gasoline-powered vehicles intended for sea transport in containers must be completely emptied so that the engine can NO LONGER be started due to a lack of fuel. If there is any residual fuel (even small amounts) in the vehicle’s fuel tank, the shipment must be declared as dangerous goods UN 3166, Class 9, in accordance with SV 962 of the IMDG Code, and shipped in accordance with Chapter 5.4 of the IMDG Code. However, for gasoline-powered vehicles explicitly shipped as dangerous goods, the fuel tank must NOT exceed the permitted (and declarable) maximum fill level of one-quarter, in accordance with SV 962.2 of the IMDG Code.”
Andreas Christ advise that these physical checks have only currently been conducted at the Port of Hamburg, but it is expected that Bremerhaven authorities will also begin performing these fuel tank checks on vehicles not declared as hazardous goods.
IAM Member Impact: IAM members are encouraged to carefully understand the regulations related to the shipping of dangerous goods and to provide their customers with advanced information to avoid delays and significant fines.