CARGO BUREAU OFFERS FREE HAZMAT AUDITS

CARGO BUREAU OFFERS FREE HAZMAT AUDITS    The not-for-profit National Cargo Bureau, based in New York, said on Wednesday that it will offer free shipboard inspections of hazardous cargoes upon request.
   In a statement, the bureau said that it was “extremely concerned about the lack of attention given to hazardous cargoes, which are becoming increasingly more toxic. In many companies, the sales force has overwhelmed the operations department, and the concern of proper stowage and documentation has been contracted out to third parties.”
   “This problem is further exacerbated in companies which subscribe to pooling agreements or use ship management companies, and have lost control of their onboard cargo operations,” the Bureau said.