Home » Business Opportunities » Regulations and Policy » Ocean Transportation » Private and Voluntary Cooperation (PVC) » Office Small & Disadvantaged Businesses (OSDBU) » Indefinite Quantity Contracts » Leader With Associates » University Partnerships » Ombudsman » Business Forms »
	General Information USAID Notices to the Trade  Updated 05-07-09 Solicitations and Award Results Title II Cargo Preference Statistics  Updated 04-21-09 Ocean Transportation Guideline Rates  Updated 03-09-07 Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program Denton Program USDA Commodity Operations Homepage U.S. Maritime Administration Homepage
	AAPD 09-01: Contract Clause and Assistance Provision for Awards in Iraq PDF -- April 01 , 2009 AAPD 07-01 Amendment 1: Procurement of Anti-Retrovirals (ARVs) for HIV/AIDS Programs PDF -- December 16, 2008 AAPD 04-15 Amendment 1: CASH AWARDS FOR USPSCs AND TCNPSCs PDF -- October 01, 2008 AAPD 08-01: Voluntary Population Planning Activities – Updated Requirements and Clause PDF -- June 12 , 2008 AAPD 05-04 Amendment 2: Implementation of the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003 - Eligibility Limitation on the Use of Funds and Opposition to Prostitution and Sex Trafficking PDF -- October 16, 2007 AAPD 07-05: USAID List of Approved HIV/AIDS Test Kits PDF -- August 29, 2007 AAPD 06-06 Rev 2: Expedited A&A Procedures for Activities and Programs Related to USAID's Avian Influenza Pandemic Emergency Preparedness and and Response Efforts Revised-- August 15, 2007 PDF Attachment 1 Rev2 Attachment 2 Rev2 Get Acrobat Reader... How to copy and paste a PDF
	Advanced search... Search USAID Personnel... Search USAID Documents...

NOTICE TO THE TRADE

04/15/09

CONTAINER LOADING PROTOCOL - HIGH MOISTURE COMMODITIES

This notice is to advise all participant ocean carriers of the required protocol to be followed when loading bagged beans and bagged whole corn in containers under the foreign food assistance programs P.L 480 Titles II, Food for Progress and the McGovern-Dole Programs. Under this protocol these requirements are mandatory regardless of the cargoes destination.

LOADING PROTOCOL

The primary intent of the container loading protocol is to ensure protection of the aforementioned commodities from condensation induced losses and to maintain the integrity of U.S. foreign food assistance programs. Under the protocol, source-loading or trans-loading of the commodities will be limited to 20 foot containers only. All sea containers are to be loaded by the participant ocean carrier as follows:

1. Line container walls and floor with cardboard corrugated sheeting, and place sheeting on the top tier of bags.
2. Apply calcium chloride (CaCl2) based desiccant to interior container walls or on the corrugated sheeting, based upon the length of time in transit in containers. CaCl2 based desiccant should be placed horizontally along interior container walls or laid on the top tier of the corrugated sheeting and maintain a minimum of 8 inches of headspace for optimal effectiveness. Vents of container should be closed or taped closed. Required desiccant volumes (125 gram packs):

   15 - 59 days: 72 bags of CaCl2 based desiccant.
   60 - 89 days: 90 bags of CaCl2 based desiccant.
   90 - 120 days: 108 bags of CaCl2 based desiccant.

3. Duct tape is not to be used when adhering the cardboard corrugated sheeting to the walls of the container as it has shown to act as a potential insect attractant.
4. For Material instructions and illustrations of container loading protocol see following web addresses:

   http://www.usaid.gov/business/ocean/notices/protocol_sheeting.pdf (pdf, 13kb)
   http://www.usaid.gov/business/ocean/notices/application_diagram.pdf (pdf, 197kb)

FUMIGATION

The EPA has indicated that two fumigants can be employed during fumigation: Phostoxin and Actellic. The fumigant Phostoxin or aluminum phosphide reacts very vigorously with liquid water and may form an explosive gas. All fumigation is to be completed prior to desiccant being applied in loaded containers. The desiccant packaging should maintain a separation between any fumigant, as it is recognized that accidentally torn desiccant bags may release liquid/gel and pose a potential hazard. Fumigation of commodities with Phostoxin must be performed on a warehouse floor under tarp.

DAMAGED CARGO

In the event of suspected moisture damage within a container loaded per the High Moisture Container Protocol: Do not discard any of the desiccant bags at time of container de-stuffing and all cargo surveys must include the following requirements:

1. Accurately document cargo quantity and quality condition upon receipt and outturn.
2. Retrieve data loggers, humidity monitors or any applicable devices for interpretation/evaluation, if part of the transportation process.
3. Count and weigh each individual desiccant bag and identify where in the container they were located.
4. Document if container loading protocol was properly implemented.

COORDINATION

The Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) calling forward the commodities will estimate the length of time required to clear commodities through customs in-country. The ocean carrier will take this estimate into consideration in determining the amount of desiccant to use, from the time of container stuffing to de-stuffing. Disposal of the used desiccant at discharge will be according to the local laws governing disposal of calcium chloride based desiccant products. For further information contact, Paul Vicinanzo, Transportation Division, AID, telephone (202)712-5147.

Back to Top ^