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Hanjin fined for toxic trash delivery

Hanjin fined for toxic trash delivery

   Korean carrier Hanjin Shipping has reportedly been fined $852,000 for its role in the delivery of a shipment of hazardous waste from Europe to a port in Brazil on Aug. 3, according to a report this week by the Associated Press.

   A container shipped from the Czech Republic via the Port of Hamburg to a terminal in Rio Grande, Brazil, was supposed to have only clean plastic for recycling, but instead contained dirty cleaning product containers, soiled diapers and “contaminated residues,” according to the report.

   The Brazilian recycling company involved was fined $227,000, though the company indicated it would appeal the fine.

   The AP report said Brazilian inspectors found more than 1,400 tons of toxic trash shipped in 89 containers to three Brazilian ports in 2009.

   Hanjin told American Shipper Thursday that it learned of the incident Wednesday and is investigating with help from its local representatives and government authorities.

   'We apologize to the Brazilian citizens and our customers for any damage caused by the incident and will certainly cooperate in all possible aspects to ease the situation,' the carrier said.