News & Notices

20 January 2023

Dangerous Goods Update – Lithium Batteries

Dear Valued Customers,

Please see the following update and requirements regarding Lithium Batteries shipments.

Effective immediately all shipments including lithium batteries are required to be declared as hazardous.

· Lithium batteries are required to be new and sealed – NPDL will not accept damaged, refueled, or repacked batteries

· If the battery is used, it is required to be completely discharged and have no charge (dead battery)

· All carriage documentation and packing to be precise as per the requirements stated in IMDG code

Additionally, all battery powered vehicles are required to be classed as hazardous.

· NPDL will only accept new vehicles

· Charge on batteries is to be maximum 30%

· All E-Vehicles and hybrid vehicles require extra lashing when vanned

*E-vehicles powered by Lithium batteries shall be declared as dangerous goods under UN3171/class 9

*Hybrid vehicles with Lithium batteries shall be declared as dangerous goods under UN3166/ class 9

There are no special provisions or exemptions allowed to the above

Please note any mis-declarations will incur a fee of up to USD5,000.

Thank you for your continued support, should you have any further queries please contact your NPDL representative.

Sincerely,

NPDL

Click here to view the full announcement in your browser in PDF

The NZ EPA Methyl Bromide Decision-making Committee identified a need to drive research, innovation, and behaviour change to reduce methyl bromide emissions and search for feasible alternatives to methyl bromide. While acknowledging the efforts of industry, the Committee is disappointed at the slow progress in these areas. The Committee strongly supports a strategic approach to the reduction of methyl bromide use and acknowledges that recapture is just one of the tools needed to ensure reduction and ultimate elimination of methyl bromide emissions.Decision: modified reassessment of methyl bromide

APP203660

11 AUGUST 2021

For more information, please visit NZ EPA website. https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/FileAPI/hsno-ar/APP203660/APP203660_decision_11_Aug_2021.pdf

In addition to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Ministry) public notice issued on 28th August 2020, the public is further advised that due to the potential spread of the avian influenza virus across the states of Australia, the importation of all avian and ratite meat, meat products, by-products, eggs, egg products, live birds, and animal reproductive materials from Australia is now banned until further notice.

All import permits issued for the named products originated from Australia will be suspended until further notice and the named products currently in transit from Australia will possibly be incinerated or reshipped back to Australia.
This public notice is issued pursuant to section 33 and 58 of the Quarantine (Biosecurity) Act 2005 and in conjunction with the Ministry’s efforts to stop the introduction into Samoa of avian influenza virus.

The Ministry appreciates the public’s cooperation to keep Samoa free from this highly pathogenic livestock virus.

For more information, please contact the Ministry’s Quarantine Division on telephone number 20920 or 22171.

Effective from 1st September 2020 (estimated vessel departure date), Hamburg Süd will no longer accept bookings for import shipments to China and Hong Kong for commodities that fall under the category of solid waste.

Solid Waste commodities define and not limit to: wastepaper, scrap metal, used plastics, waste textile, waste chemicals and etc.

The Waste (Plastic Bag) Management Regulations 2018 was endorsed in October 2018 and came into effect on 30 January 2019. The Regulation 4 highlighted the prohibitions:

(a) It must not be imported into Samoa after 30 January 2019; and

(b) It must not be manufactured in Samoa at the commencement of these Regulations; and

(c) It must not be exported from Samoa after 30 January 2019; and

(d) It must not be sold or distributed in Samoa whether in exchange of payment or not after 30 January 2019.

These are mainly for Plastic Shopping Bags, Plastic Packing Bags and plastic Straws. However, exemptions for food safety purposes are for:

1. Locally produced chips (taro, chips);

2. Locally produced keke saina;

3. Kava;

4. Locally produced biscuits;

5. Repacked coffee and tea;

6. Repacked sugar,

7. Repacked flour;

8. Cocoa and;

9. Frozen meat.

The same prohibitions will also come into effect for Styrofoam plastic in the form of cup, bowl, container or food tray made of expanded polystyrene or plastic foam with the use of any gas or volatile liquid on the 30 June 2020.

For any further queries on the ban please contact MNRE.

Coronavirus (COVID19) State of Emergency Orders have been approved and signed into law this evening by his Highness the Head of State.

The following are some of the implementation, re advise you read the and comply wit latest official version which is regularly updated:

 National fasting and prayer

 International travel Stopped

 Public gatherings Limited

 Public transport Limited

 Markets Limited and Controlled

 Street vendors Stopped

 Schools closed

 Access to Health Facilities controlled

 Restriction for Government services limited

 Ministry of Health duties & Samoa Police Service increased

 Fishing Boats & Cruise ships Banned for certain periods

Singapore, 13 March 2020 – Today Neptune Pacific Line (Neptune) announced it has acquired Pacific Direct Line (PDL) from PDL’s parent holding company, Pacific International Lines (PIL). The combined business will seamlessly link transport, warehousing, depots and customs clearance services and fully integrate customers’ supply chains across 18 South Pacific markets.

The acquisition of PDL will strengthen Neptune’s Melanesian and Polynesian network, provide a link to Micronesia and the French territories, and enhance connectivity to global markets via strategic hubs in New Zealand and Fiji. “This purchase supports our long-term vision of creating the strongest and best regional network of shipping and logistics services in the Pacific Islands,” said Rolf Rasmussen, Managing Director of Neptune. “By acquiring PDL, we can further develop our mainline shipping network to provide fixed-day services and increase the utilization of our combined fleet, enabling us to continue to offer competitive freight rates. PDL’s extensive logistics network will allow us to support our customers across their entire supply chain needs."

“Our group strives to optimise our resources and to review our overall business approach for new business opportunities,” said Teo Siong Seng, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of PIL. “The divestment of PDL is part of our strategic move that enables PIL to focus its resources on growing in the key liner markets that it operates in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America. We will continue to improve our liner services between Asia and Oceania including the South Pacific Islands.”

PDL currently operates throughout the South Pacific region and specialises in providing liner shipping services from New Zealand and Australia to the South Pacific Islands. With the acquisition of PDL, Neptune will now have a specialized fleet of nine vessels dedicated to South Pacific Island trades and a team of more than 800, most of whom are based in supply chain services in the region.

“Pacific Direct Line was founded to support the socio-economic development of the Pacific Islands by providing reliable, consistent shipping and logistics services,” said Oliver Ravel, CEO of PDL. “Today, with the support of PIL, PDL has grown to become a market leader in the South Pacific. By selling the business to our regional partner, we can ensure that this legacy will live on and that our customers will continue to be supported by a local service provider that understands the needs of the region.”

About Neptune Pacific Line (Neptune):

Neptune Pacific Line was established in 1997 to provide container shipping services in the trades between Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and today, is a ship owner and operator active in liner and project markets in the Pacific. It is part of The Wonderful Company, a USD4 billion international company headquartered in Los Angeles, USA.

About Pacific International Lines (PIL)

Pacific International Lines (PIL) is in the world’s top 10 containership operators and is the largest shipowner in Southeast Asia. PIL owns and operates with a fleet of around 150 containerships, bulkers and multi-purpose vessels, serving more than 500 locations in over 90 countries worldwide. The group has several business units such as container manufacturing, ship recycling, marine service, real estate, depot and logistics services. One of PIL’s subsidiaries, Singamas Container Holdings Ltd, is one of the world-leading container manufacturers, with five manufacturing facilities and ten depots in Asia.

About Pacific Direct Line (PDL)

Pacific Direct Line (PDL) traces its roots back to the late 1960s and specializes in providing liner shipping services to the South Pacific region, with additional bolt-on businesses allowing PDL to offer a one-stop shop for clients. PDL offers services in shipping, shipping agencies, cruise agencies, container depots, trucking, fumigation, stevedoring, LCL, fuel /gas and lubes, warehousing, distribution and storage. PDL’s Pacific network spans from Australia to Tahiti, as far north as Micronesia, and back to New Zealand in the south, covering an area spanning 24 million square kilometres.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has made some changes in the regulation for filing Sea Cargo Manifest for all cargo arriving on the vessel calling India and departing on a vessel from India. The go-live date for implementation is now August 01, 2019. As per the key highlights of the revised regulation, it is compulsory for the shipping line, and importer/exporter to adhere to the defined timelines for manifest filing of all cargo on a vessel calling Indian port. The rule is applicable for all cargo transshipping, discharging and going via (FROB – Freight Remain on Board) Indian port. Imports into India: Shipping lines are required to submit Import manifest details to Indian Customs prior vessel departure from Last port of call before calling India, for all containers which are going to discharge at any port in India or are discharged for transshipment at any of the ports in India. In order to meet the above requirement Bill of Lading need to be ready 72 hrs prior vessel sailing from Last Port of call. Exports from India: Shipping Lines are required to submit Export manifest details to Indian Customs prior Sailing of Vessel from India port of loading, for all containers which are loaded on a said vessel from India. In order to meet this requirement, Shipping Instructions would need to be available 48 hrs prior arrival of the vessel at the Indian Port of loading. As part of the above changes, below data elements need to be provided as part of the Shipping Instructions.

 Shipper City, Country Code & Postcode

 Consignee City, Country Code & Postcode

 IEC Code (Import Export Code) of Consignee

 Notified Party City, Country Code & Postcode

 Permanent Account Number (PAN) of Notify Pary

 Invoice value of consignment & Currency Code

 Cargo Item Sequence number

 HS code in this cargo sequence

 UNO Code in this cargo sequence

 IMDG Code in this cargo sequence

 Number of packages in this cargo sequence

 Types of packages in this cargo sequence

 Weight of the cargo pertaining to this cargo sequence

Non-compliance to the above requirements may lead to cargo not being loaded or issuance of original Bill of lading being held back. Clarity

The Ministry for Finance has reminded the public that the Energy Efficiency Act 2017 is now enforced. This applies to Refrigerators and Freezers, Air Conditions and Lighting products.

Samoa Has adopted Australia, New Zealand Standards and products registered in Fiji therefore those products are eligible to import into Samoa.

Please contact the Ministry of Finance for further Clarification before attempting to import into Samoa or you take the risk of cargo being re-exported or destroyed.

www.mof.gov.ws PH: 34344

The Ministry for Revenue (Customs) has taken a strong stance against delayed document and last minute bookings and has implemented consequences to the point of removal of our Shipping Licenses for any failures to comply.

It is therefore an absolute must that all export booking are finalized at least 1 full working day before the vessel so we have time to compile export manifests.

We apologize in advance for the limitation in flexibility this will cause.

The Plastic Prohibition Ban is being enforced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The Waste (Plastic Bag) Regulation 2018 prohibits the import, manufacture, export, sale and distribution of plastic shopping bags, packing bags and straws effective from the 30 January 2019.

The following are exempted from the prohibition; plastic bag used exclusively to pack or repack frozen goods sold at retailers such as meat, frozen ice cream, ice cubes, locally produced chips, locally produced kekesaina, ava, local biscuits, repacked coffee, tea, sugar, flour and cocoa.

A failure to comply will result in a conviction to a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units or SAT $10,000.00.

For any questions or clarifications please contact MNRE - Division of Environment and Conservation on telephone 67200. Email: info@mnre.gov.ws

General Custom Department of Vietnam issued a Regulation No. 6889/TCHQ-GSQL Dated Nov. 23rd, 2018 with following main information:

• Content of this regulation:

+ Required information must be submitted: Consignee’s TAX code ; Consignee’s name and address; HS code of commodity

+ the carrier/shipping line/ Forwarder have to submit the required information on the e-manifest, which they submit to the custom office in Vietnam.

+ this e-manifest must be submitted 2 day before the arriving date of vessel.

• This regulation is applied for all import cargo into Vietnam.

• Effective:

· For Scrap cargo: immediately effect

· For general cargo: from Jan. 01st, 2019

1st December 2018 - New Charges by Port are made effective.

From January 2020 all ships and vessels operating anywhere in the world will be required to use fuel oil with a maximum sulphur content of just 0.5 per cent m/m. Vessels will be able to use an IMO (International Maritime Organisation) approved equivalent method such as exhaust gas leaning systems (known as scrubbers) providing of course that the resulting emissions meet the required target.

This is going to affect pricing in the long run and new surcharges will start being implemented.