Namibia’s exports of charcoal produced from alien invader trees have been given a boost through an investment in a thermal scanner by MSC Namibia.There is a risk of containers of charcoal being loaded with product that is still smouldering – which could lead to a container fire on board, according to Waldi Schickerling, manager of the Namibian branch of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).In order to reduce time lost and damage to the cargo through the unloading of the containers prior to shipment to check for sparks, MSC has invested in the scanner.Containers are scanned and certified as safe before they are moved into the port.Up to 150 containers of charcoal bound for Europe are loaded on vessels at a time, with the scanner reducing delays and costs for the shippers.
