BIMCO SIGNS ANTI-DRUG SMUGGLING AGREEMENT WITH FINNISH CUSTOMERS

BIMCO SIGNS ANTI-DRUG SMUGGLING AGREEMENT WITH FINNISH CUSTOMERS    The Baltic and International Maritime Council has signed an anti-drug smuggling agreement with Finnish Customs.
   The agreement, known as a Memorandum of Understanding, aims to address the increasing problem of Finnish ports being used as transit points for illegal drugs.
   In the agreement, BIMCO’s shipowner members agree to implement procedures to reduce the opportunities for stowage of illegal drugs on their vessels. Shipowners also agree to inform Finnish Customs whenever they become aware of suspicious activities related to drug smuggling.
   Finnish Customs, in turn, agrees to handle all information
confidentially. Penalties, crew arrests and vessel delays will also be reduced for shipowners that are part of the agreement.
   BIMCO has signed similar anti-drug smuggling agreements with Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium,
the United Kingdon and United States.
   BIMCO says that 611 (or 62 percent) of its shipowner members participate in one or more of these anti-drug smuggling agreements.