Shipping to and from Namibia

Walvis Bay Terminal - Vessel Arrival / Departure Information - 03/27/24 @ 5:05:22 AM

All dates and times associated with Scheduled status, are subject to change without any prior notice.

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In lieu of new changes in IMDG Code Amendment 42-24, the following requirements regarding the shipping of Charcoal, will be applicable on all bookings new/amended w.e.f. 1st October 2025. Our website will be updated with these requirements on 1st October 2025.

Maersk will stop accepting non-DG charcoal bookings. Only DG charcoal bookings from pre-audited shippers are acceptable subject to below requirements. All Charcoal bookings must obtain loading acceptance with Maersk. Please contact the Local Maersk office for the requirements to obtain pre-audited shipper status.

Charcoal must be declared as DG under,
UN1361/4.2 with Proper Shipping Name as CARBON, animal or vegetable origin:

Carbon of animal or vegetable origin means carbon, generated in a production or manufacturing process, not formed in a geological process and not obtained from mining. Carbon covered by this entry is produced by pyrolysis of an organic material such as bone, bamboo, coconut shell, jute or wood. Black material originating from organic sources. Particularly includes carbon blacks of animal or vegetable origin, other non-activated carbon materials and charcoal.

Circumstances under which we DO NOT accept:

• Charcoal Scrap/small particles/fraction/dust & fines < />
• If booked as non-DG
• Wet charcoal/Instant charcoal/Instant grill/Instant BBQ.
• From Vietnam and China, if used for waterpipes / shisha / hookah / Nargila or similar
• In reefer (both live and non-operating)
• If VSA (Partner) policy TC vessel owner (term charter)/ Feeder operator’s policy prohibits

Circumstances under which we accept this commodity:

• Shipments acceptable only from pre-audited shipper when booked as Dangerous Goods and when consignment is in accordance with IMDG code 42-24 (SP978, packing(P002), marking, Labelling, Placarding, Dangerous Goods Declaration, Overpack, UN approved packing etc....) and
• If Vacuumable thermal jacket is installed in each CTU confirmed by a vanning surveyor report.

The following documentation are required to obtain loading approval.

Before container release (Haulage)

1. Preliminary Dangerous Goods Declaration
2. Material Safety Data Sheet

Before container Gate-in (Terminal)

1. Final Dangerous Goods Declaration and Packing Certificate
2. Weathering Certificate
3. Vanning Certificate

Packing & Stuffing

Allowed in UN approved Boxes, Bags, Drums and IBC as per P002 packing instructions of IMDG code 42-24. Not allowed in packings of 4H1, 5H1, 5H2, 5L1, 5L2, 5M1. Every shipment of charcoal must be completely vacuum packed with a thermal jacket, provided by the shipper’s preferred Maersk Recommended supplier listed below:

Details of documents:

1. Material Safety Data Sheet: It must indicate the use of the charcoal and must be from same entity (producer/Manufacturer of Charcoal).
2. Dangerous Goods Declaration and Packing Certificate: as per chapter 5.4 of IMDG code.
3. Weathering: On company letterhead; dated, signed, and stamped; to be issued by the manufacturer (real producer of the cargo) with the following:
• Dates: Date of issue of cert, date of Production, start and end date of weathering, start and end date of packaging.
• Photos: (The photos must be clicked straight and not is any other angle.)
Weathering process, packaging process, temperature of cargo while packaging.
• Details: Booking number and container numbers, details of packaging (weight, size, type etc...), Charcoal particle size in mm and type of Charcoal (briquetted or non-briquetted hardwood, coconut shell, palm kernel shell, rice husk, coconut charcoal, sawdust, Shisha, etc...) Confirmation:
Confirming that after production, the unpacked material was subject to weathering (stored under cover, but in the open air) for a minimum period of 14 days before being packaged for transport. (Under circumstances where manufacturer is unable to achieve a minimum of 14 days of weathering; an approval by the competent authority shall be obtained and submitted along with weathering certificate and a declaration stating reason for not achieving 14 days of weathering). Confirming that while the material was packed into packaging the temperature of the material did not exceed 40°C.
4. Vanning Certificate (Vanning survey report is acceptable only from Maersk nominated Surveyors)

Maersk Namibia nominated surveyors
Binnacle
ILS
Dynamic

Dates: Date of issue of certificate, start and end of Vanning.
Photos: (The photographs must be clicked straight and not at any other angle)

• Container stuffing process, incl. minimum one photo of the cargo without the outer packing.
• Cargo temperature and Ambient temperature photographs of each container.
• Thermal jacket in completely vacuumed condition.
• One door shut photograph such that the commodity stuffed inside the container and container number are clearly visible. (Complete container must be visible along with its border and edges)
• Both doors shut with seal and with visible seal number.

Details: Booking number and container numbers and their seal numbers, details of packaging (weight, size, type etc...), Charcoal particle size in mm and type of Charcoal (briquetted or non-briquetted hardwood, coconut shell, palm kernel shell, rice husk, coconut charcoal, sawdust, Shisha, etc...) Confirmation:

• Confirming each container with number that it is completely Vacuum packed with a Thermal Jacket supplied by Shipper’s preferred Maersk Recommended Supplier (Supplier name).
• Container is packed, Labelled and placarded in accordance with packing(P002), SP978, chapter 5 of IMDG code 42-24 and CTU packing guide.
• Packings are new, airtight, intact and suitable for the cargo.
• Temperature of cargo is not exceeding ambient temperature by more than 5°C.
• Packaging and interior atmosphere is clean and odourless, no presence of fumes or smoke.

Special Provision 978

1. For the purpose of this Code, carbon of animal or vegetable origin means carbon, generated in a production or manufacturing process, not formed in a geological process and not obtained from mining. Carbon covered by this entry is produced by pyrolysis of an organic material such as bone, bamboo, coconut shell, jute or wood.
2. The UN N.4 test according to section 33.4.6 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria shall not be used to exempt carbon of animal or vegetable origin (UN 1361) from the provisions of this Code.
3. Without testing, the material shall be assigned to at least packing group III.
4. Unless otherwise approved by the competent authority, the following provisions apply:
1. after production, the unpacked material shall be subject to weathering (stored under cover, but in the open air) for a minimum period of 14 days before being packaged for transport; or
2. after pyrolysis, steam and cooling shall be applied to the unpacked material and the material shall be packed under an inert gas atmosphere (e.g. nitrogen); packages shall then be stored under loose cover or in the open air for a minimum of 24 hours before transport.
5. The material shall be packed into packaging only when the temperature of the material does not exceed 40 °C on the day of packing.
6. When stowed in a cargo transport unit, minimum headspace in the CTU of 30 cm shall be maintained, and:
1. the stowage height of the package(s) in the unit should not exceed 1.5 m; or
2. the maximum block size of the packages should be 16 m3 and a minimum of 15 cm of space between blocks should be maintained.