At the end of the summer of 2018, some of our clients asked for help since their goods could not be shipped to Australia through the Port of Koper. The problem arose when the Australian and New Zealand authorities demanded that exporters submit certificates stating that their containers had been properly fumigated before shipment. Reason: to prevent the introduction of BMSB – the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys). Based on detailed inquiries, we came to the conclusion that no one in the region was registered or authorized to carry out this particular type of fumigation. We took immediate action and thanks to the quick response of our port community, especially that of the company DDD d.o.o., the problem of exporting containers to Australia and New Zealand was solved. 

In October 2018, the Australian and New Zealand authorities granted the company DDD d.o.o. from Koper the status of authorized contractor and “BMSB treatment provider”. The authorization can be inspected here: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs/offshore-treatment-providers#slovenia. The Koper-based company, which is authorized to carry out disinfection, insect control and derating, is now the only company in this part of the EU with this status.