Fumigation is a process which is used to secure the cargo from various pests/insects.
In shipping fumigation is used when any agree commodity is getting exported or any packing material made up of wood (pallets, crates etc.)is used.
If the cargo to be exported is agree commodity (grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, plants etc.) and transit time is more there is a high chance of insect attack on the cargo. Lesser grain borer, rice weevils, rust-red flour beetle are few among the insects that damage the grains.
If these insects (pests) attack the cargo there is a chance that cargo in transit will get damaged and it will be rejected by customer/ importer or the authorities at importing countries which is a huge loss for supplier/exporter. In this case cargo is fumigated after stuffing in containers or loading in to bulk vessels so that insect attack can be avoided. Sometimes cargo is fumigated in warehouse before stuffing.
Even if the cargo is non agree commodity but is packed in Wooden boxes, creates or pallets there is chance that the wood used in packing materials will be attacked by wood boring insects like termites, beetles, Woodworms, powderpost beetles etc. In this case Worden pallets or other wooden packing materials are fumigated separately before packing. Sometimes entire cargo is fumigated after packing and stuffing.
Sometimes pests forms in empty containers also so in order to prevent pest/insects attack empty containers are fumigated before cargo stuffing.
Fumigation process:
Spreading of poisonous gas or tablets in a closed surface (Shipping containers, hatches of bulk vessels, closed warehouse or any other closed surface) which kills the insects/ pests within that area is known as fumigation.
Main fumigants are MBR (Methyl Bromide) & ALP (Aluminum Phosphide).
MBR (Methyl Bromide):
MBR is a poisonous chemical in gas form, required quantity of the chemical (24 grams, 48 grams etc.) spread in a closed surface in a particular temperature and kept for a time period of 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours. In some cases after the time period the gas is extracted from that surface.
ALP (Aluminum Phosphide):
ALP is a poisonous tablet which is spread in containers or hatches, after a certain period the tablet gets evaporated. This type of fumigant generally uses for a longer voyage.
Doses of fumigants are used as per requirement of importing countries plant protection departments.
After fumigation process the fumigation agency issues a certificate in which doses of fumigation are mentioned.
In some cases as per requirement of importing countries doses are mentioned on Phytosanitary certificate, it is known as treatment.
Fumigation can be performed by authorized agencies. Authorization is given by the Plant protection organization or any similar government organization.
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