KOREA's Hanjin Shipping has been fined US$852,000 for shipping hazardous waste from Europe to Brazil on August 3, according to The Associated Press.

A container from the Czech Republic via Hamburg to Rio Grande, Brazil, supposedly carrying clean plastic for recycling, was instead filled with dirty cleaning product containers, soiled diapers and "contaminated residues," according to The AP.

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 that it learned of the incident and is investigating with help from its local representatives and government authorities.

"We apologise 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.

Source: shipping online