Philippines: Safe transport of radioactive hazardous cargo

Even a shipment just 3.5 millimeters long and half a millimeter in diameter can pose a logistical challenge – especially when it involves low- to intermediate-level radioactive material for medical use. Recently, a. hartrodt successfully managed customs clearance and local delivery for this hazardous cargo, which arrived at Manila International Airport in the Philippines via air freight from Germany. “The project required careful coordination and strict compliance with stringent regulations,” says Jois Diane Dizon, Account Manager at a. hartrodt Philippines in Makati City, describing the particular challenge.

In accordance with international safety standards

Local hospitals require radioactive materials for applications such as cancer radiotherapy, nuclear medical imaging, and laboratory diagnostics. This material is distributed across Manila and the Mindanao region. In the Southeast Asian island nation, oversight is provided by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), which ensures compliance with national regulations aligned with international safety standards for the secure handling, packaging, and transport of radioactive materials.

Transport by truck and Ro-Ro ship continuously monitored 

“Among the key requirements was the PNRI certificate, without which radioactive materials cannot be imported,” says Jois Diane Dizon. The brokerage team at a. hartrodt Philippines was able to witness firsthand how representatives of the customs authority, in coordination with radiation safety officers, thoroughly reviewed the documentation and physically inspected the cargo. The shipment remained sealed during the inspection and, after clearance by the authorities, was transported to the hospital by a partner company via truck and Ro-Ro ship – even earlier than scheduled. “Our team monitored everything continuously,” emphasizes the account manager.

Jois Diane Dizon describes the project as “an important step toward building expertise in handling special shipments, including dangerous goods.” She believes that a. hartrodt Philippines will become even “more capable and active” in this segment.