Invasive Pests on Shipping Containers – International Conference, 7 and 8 October 2025, Copenhagen

Following on from our member briefing on Custodial Responsibility last week by Global Shippers’ Forum and World Shipping Council, please find below a link to register for the Copenhagen IPPC Symposium.

https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/capacity-development/sea-containers/working-together-clean-containers-and-safe-trade-symposium-on-plant-and-biodiversity-protection-mitigating-risks-of-pest-contamination-in-the-international-containerized-supply-chain/ This contains a link to the separate registration page.

The Symposium is free to participate and will address how the entire cargo handling supply chain will be expected to take on the challenge of preventing the transfer of invasive pests. It is an opportunity for industry to have a voice.

One of the topics on the agenda is Custodial Responsibility. Members will recall that this model was developed by industry. It requires each part of the cargo supply chain from the container depot to the packer to the transporter and carrier to take action to identify if invasive pests are present on the container when they receive it and to hand it over to the next part of the supply chain free from visible pests. In the model, ports and terminals will also have these obligations.

If you do register to attend, please let me know by emailing secretariat@ichca.com so that we can co-ordinate with members at the event.