Cambodia Sea Container Hygiene System
AM Logistics together with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry implement a Sea Container Hygiene System in Cambodia to boost trade and reduce biosecurity risk.
Representatives from AM Logistics (AML) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) travelled from Australia to conduct a Sea Container Hygiene System (SCHS) scoping audit in Cambodia.
The November 2023 itinerary included an overview of AML’s operation in Cambodia, a tour of the Sihanoukville port and meetings with officials.
Leading the way in biosecurity.
The SCHS project has been led by AML Director for Global Trade, Lindsay Rowlson who began working in November 2020 on a system to clean shipping containers at Sihanoukville prior to loading onboard the vessel.
In collaboration with DAFF Sea Container Controls, Assistant Director Gayle and Senior Policy Officer Joanne, the AML Cambodia SCHS was implemented in December 2022.
The recent scoping audit conducted by DAFF’s Sea Container Controls team forms part of the final approval process as an SCHS Recognised Provider.
The Sea Container Hygiene System in simple terms.
The Sea Container Hygiene System (SCHS) is an offshore process where DAFF and industry work together to mitigate biosecurity risk for Australia by significantly reducing the amount of contamination arriving on sea containers.
Recognised SCHS providers attract compliance-based intervention measures which can result in reduced inspections on arrival.
Benefits of reduced intervention.
AM Logistics expect to achieve reduced intervention measures from April 2024, which would see a reduction in GAS HELD inspections from Cambodia as a recognised SCHS provider, with the following benefits to industry:
- Reduced intervention related costs for Australian importers
- Reduced intervention related delays for Australian importers
- Reduced biosecurity risk for Australian agriculture
- Reduced operational costs for government and industry
- More trade investment between Cambodia and Australia
Cambodia, the CAL, and the Giant African Snail.
The Country Action List (CAL) policy has been established by The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to protect Australia’s biosecurity.
Cambodia is listed on the Country Action List primarily because of the high risk of hitchhikers such as Giant African Snail, but also because of the risk of contaminants such as soil, seeds, plant material and snail eggs on shipping containers.
All containers from Cambodia must be inspected externally once discharged off the vessel at Australian ports. Unfortunately, this converts into additional costs and clearance delays at the Australian border.
The AM Logistics solution.
AM Logistics is a recognised SCHS provider in Cambodia. Operationally located within the Sihanoukville port precinct, AML’s SCHS includes a verification inspection at each container touch point with a detailed cleaning and treatment process.
Actively managing the system end-to-end, the process includes empty container collection, inland transport, depot and terminal transfers, international shipping, customs and quarantine clearance, delivery and dehire.
During this process, containers are externally inspected, cleaned and treated for biosecurity risks.
More.
To learn more about the AM Logistics Sea Container Hygiene System and how it can benefit your business, contact us here and type “AML SCHS” in the message field.
Our AML Global Trade Advisory team will contact you and go through the next steps.