Insurer to focus on packing, secure containers, weight fibbing at TOC
TT CLUB marine insurers will make an appeal to the industry at the TOC conference in Rotterdam this week for greater attention to false container weights, bad packing and insecure cargo in containers, which often result in cargo loss and damage.
"Any cargo not properly packed and secured in the transport unit is a potential killer. Yet research demonstrates that there is little awareness of international guidelines for packing cargo," said TT Club risk management director Peregrine Storrs-Fox.
Badly secured cargo represents one third of cargo loss and damage claims, said Mr Storrs-Fox in a release ahead of his appearance at the TT Club Round Table on the first day of the June 25-27 TOC Container Supply Chain Conference.
"How often do those involved in packing cargo transport units - trailers and containers - struggle to get a heavy item in and then believe that the cargo will not shift?" he asked.
"How often are packages covering the most of the floor of [trailers or containers] not secured in the belief that, since there are few gaps, they will not move 'much'?" Mr Storrs-Fox said.
"Inadequate awareness occurs too frequently, many times associated with fatal consequences. It does not matter whether the cargo is classified as a 'dangerous goods' or not."
Turning to container weights, Mr Storrs-Fox said there is a consensus that the inaccuracy of weight declarations compromises safety and efficiency. "But there is rather less agreement on how to implement changes that are appropriate and proportionate," he said.
"That the true weight of a high percentage of the 130 million TEU shipped around the world last year was not accurately known is in little doubt. What remains a matter of debate is the extent of these inaccuracies, the consequences regarding safety and dangerous incidents, and how regulations can be imposed to redress the situation," he said.
TT CLUB marine insurers will make an appeal to the industry at the TOC conference in Rotterdam this week for greater attention to false container weights, bad packing and insecure cargo in containers, which often result in cargo loss and damage.
"Any cargo not properly packed and secured in the transport unit is a potential killer. Yet research demonstrates that there is little awareness of international guidelines for packing cargo," said TT Club risk management director Peregrine Storrs-Fox.
Badly secured cargo represents one third of cargo loss and damage claims, said Mr Storrs-Fox in a release ahead of his appearance at the TT Club Round Table on the first day of the June 25-27 TOC Container Supply Chain Conference.
"How often do those involved in packing cargo transport units - trailers and containers - struggle to get a heavy item in and then believe that the cargo will not shift?" he asked.
"How often are packages covering the most of the floor of [trailers or containers] not secured in the belief that, since there are few gaps, they will not move 'much'?" Mr Storrs-Fox said.
"Inadequate awareness occurs too frequently, many times associated with fatal consequences. It does not matter whether the cargo is classified as a 'dangerous goods' or not."
Turning to container weights, Mr Storrs-Fox said there is a consensus that the inaccuracy of weight declarations compromises safety and efficiency. "But there is rather less agreement on how to implement changes that are appropriate and proportionate," he said.
"That the true weight of a high percentage of the 130 million TEU shipped around the world last year was not accurately known is in little doubt. What remains a matter of debate is the extent of these inaccuracies, the consequences regarding safety and dangerous incidents, and how regulations can be imposed to redress the situation," he said.