New IPPC e-learning course - Sea container inspections: minimizing visible pest risks

The IPPC Secretariat has launched a new self-paced e-learning course – Sea container inspections: minimizing visible pest risks, now available for free on the IPPC Plant Health Campus.

The course is targeted at inspectors from national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) and other authorized entities and explains how to safely identify, assess and respond to phytosanitary contamination risks on sea containers – in three short lessons.

What will you learn?

• The role of sea container inspections in preventing the spread of pests through international trade pathways.
• Phytosanitary contamination risks associated with sea containers and their cargoes.
• Safe and systematic inspection procedures for external, internal and cargo inspection areas, where accessible and safe.
• Appropriate actions, reporting requirements, and follow-up procedures when contamination is detected.

Who should take this course?

This course is open to anyone interested in the subject, and is particularly relevant for:

• NPPO inspectors responsible for conducting sea container inspections.
• Third-party entities authorized by NPPOs to conduct inspections on their behalf.
• Customs and border agency officials supporting NPPOs in sea container inspections.
• Other professionals involved in the sea container supply chain, including container operators responsible for handling or checking sea containers under their custodial responsibilities.

This course joins a steadily growing, multilingual library of certified courses, guides and technical resources on the IPPC Plant Health Campus – a free platform designed to strengthen phytosanitary capacities in countries around the world.

Complete the course to earn a digital badge, certifying your new skills, ready to be shared on LinkedIn and other platforms.