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Archives for June 2014

“K” Line Announce Delivery of 82,200cbm-type LPG Carrier “GALAXY RIVER”

 

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Tokyo, (hereafter called “K” Line) is proud to announce the delivery of “GALAXY RIVER,” an 82,200 cbm-type LPG Carrier at Sakaide Shipyard of Kawasaki Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Japan on June 27, 2014.

 

GALAXY RIVER will be operated by “K” Line under a Consecutive Voyage Charter Contract with Japan Gas Energy Corporation. The main cargo that will be transported is LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) from the Middle East to be discharged in Japan and other Far East ports. In addition, due to the recent Shale Revolution, there has been a lot of LPG exported from the United States and this is expected to increase. In this connection, GALAXY RIVER is fitted with the latest design that will enable her to pass through the Panama Canal after its expected expansion is completed.

 

Vessel’s Specifications

 

LOA  :  230.00M

Deadweight Tons  :  54,081MT

 

Beam  :  37.20M

Gross Tons  :  46,885T

 

Depth  :  21.00M

Cargo Tank Capacity  :  82,391m3

 

Full Draft  :  11.20M

Registry  :  Republic of Panama

 

Class  :  Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK)

 

Features

 

1. The vessel is designed to be fully compliant with the New Panamax requirements.

 

2. A ballast water management system ensures the ocean habitat is protected from unwanted environmental effects.

 

3. Four independent cargo tanks are installed in the cargo holds for carrying liquefied petroleum gas. The tanks are designed to provide optimal thermal insulation and absorb low-temperature contraction.

 

4. The cargo tanks are made with special cryogenic steel for loading LPG with a minimum temperature of -46°C. The tanks are wrapped in urethane foam for thermal insulation.

 

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line):

 

Takahiko Tsurukawa , General Manager, Tanker Group  Tel:81-3-3595-5496    Fax:81-3-3595-5371

 

Kenichiro Matsui,  Manager, LPG & Clean Tanker Team Tanker Group

Tel:81-3-3595-5467    Fax:81-3-3595-5371

 

TT Club Warns of Cyber-crime Risks

Speaking at TOC Europe’s Container Supply Chain Conference in London, freight insurance specialist TT Club’s Mike Yarwood has warned of the increasing dangers posed by ‘cyber-criminals’ targeting carriers, ports, terminals and other transport operators. Examples of computer hacking affecting organisations, companies and individuals are numerous.  Data and information used to focus on high value cargo and susceptible loads.

London, 26th June 2014

As invasive cyber-technology becomes more widely available, a greater risk to legitimate trade is emerging, exposing operators in the supply chain to economic and commercial damage.  Whilst advances in IT systems undoubtedly provide greater opportunities for carriers, transport operators and cargo handling facilities to mitigate their exposure to theft and fraud, unfortunately such increased sophistication also benefits those with criminal intent.

As a leading provider of insurance and risk management services to the freight transport industry, TT Club is well-placed to observe and analyse both the nature and effect of such ‘cyber-crime’.  Insurance claims expert Mike Yarwood has made a particular study of the fast-growing trend. “We see incidents which at first appear to be a petty break-in at office facilities. The damage appears minimal – nothing is physically removed,” reported Yarwood in his TOC presentation. “More thorough post incident investigations however reveal that the ‘thieves’ were actually installing spyware within the operator’s IT network.”.

More commonly targets are individuals’ personal devices where cyber security is less adequate.  Hackers often make use of social networks to target operational personnel who travel extensively and truck drivers to ascertain routing and overnight parking patterns.

The type of information being sought and extracted may be release codes for containers from terminal facilities or passwords to discover delivery instructions.  “In instances discovered to date,” revealed Yarwood “There has been an apparent focus on specific individual containers in attempts to track the units through the supply chain to the destination port. Such systematic tracking is coupled with compromising the terminal’s IT systems to gain access to, or generate release codes for specific containers.  Criminals are known to have targeted containers with illegal drugs in this way however such methods also have greater scope in facilitating high value cargo thefts and human trafficking.”

Yarwood and TT Club are strenuous in their advice to operators to be vigilant. Simply identifying the value of the data held by an organisation or individual is a starting point when assessing potential exposure to cyber crime. “Awareness is often the first step,” commented Yarwood.  “Education of employees across all disciplines of the organisation is crucial.  Making them aware of robust risk management policies designed to defend the organisation from cyber-crime. Often the level of threat is dependent on an organisations’ own culture,” concluded Yarwood.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services.  As a mutual insurer, the TT Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

Customers include some of the world’s largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators.

www.ttclub.com

 

Menlo to Help Keep Boots on the Ground

With the commencement of its contract with tactical footwear supplier Original S.W.A.T., Menlo will be responsible for the European warehousing and distribution of a product with high customer service demands and market growth as a priority.  The logistics, transportation management and supply chain services provider will base both inventory storage and order fulfillment at Menlo’s Eersel facility in the Netherlands.

Amsterdam, 24th June 2014

Menlo Logistics prides itself on providing its business partners with the necessary initiatives and continuous improvement mechanisms to deliver supply chain management that actively enables market growth for their products.  It was this principle that determined Original S.W.A.T.’s choice of Menlo to take-over its logistics demands in Europe.

The tactical footwear supplier, which is headquartered in California, was founded in the late-nineties with the expressed purpose of producing the finest boots for law enforcement, military, first-responders and other personnel who require the toughest footwear to deal with the most demanding of conditions.  Having grown its European customer base significantly, the company now requires a professional logistics service to both cope with current distribution requirements and to help drive future expansion.

Kevin Cole, CEO of Original S.W.A.T explains the decision to appoint Menlo, “Previously, we had been relying on our sales distributor to manage our supply chain in Europe and felt that it was time for us to have this role fulfilled by a professional logistics company.  Menlo offer extensive experience and knowledge of the apparel and footwear sector, which gives us clearer visibility of market demand.  Their ability to leverage cost savings in the transport element of our supply chain and emphasis on creating efficiencies throughout it, bring us valuable competitive advantages.”

Menlo will manage the Original S.W.A.T. supply chain from its Eersel facility in the Netherlands where warehousing, inventory control and both inbound and outbound transportation will be coordinated.  First tier retail distribution will be implemented across Europe in the first instance and an e-commerce order processing and delivery service will be launched later.

In commenting on the contract confirmation Menlo’s Managing Director, Tony Gunn said, “Menlo has a strong reputation as a customer oriented supplier.  By this I mean a partnership is forged with our immediate customer that will continuously evolve to refine the supply chain and adapt to changing supply priorities and market demands.  Through our experience in the retail e-commerce field we also know how vital it is to perfect the purchasing experience of the end customer.  This is valued by Original S.W.A.T.  whose market-leading product requires a top-class e-fulfillment service.”

ENDS

About Menlo Logistics Europe

In Europe, Menlo Logistics maintains seventeen dedicated and multi-client logistics centres located in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. This warehouse network can serve as pan-European distribution solution using one or several facilities.

Supply chain and transport management solutions as well as 3PL, warehousing and distribution services are offered to a variety of vertical industry sectors including: fashion & apparel; healthcare and medical equipment; hi-tech electronic and data network equipment; automotive; defense and government services; oil and gas as well as retail e-fulfillment. The European headquarters is at the multi-client Amsterdam Distribution Centre in the Netherlands.

www.menloworldwide.com/europe

Follow Menlo on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MenloLogistics

About Menlo Logistics

Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.7 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Francisco, California-based Menlo Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfillment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities.

With nearly 20million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world. Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.7 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company.

Geodis Wilson Awarded “Airfreight Forwarder of the Year”

Shanghai, 23 June 2014

Geodis Wilson, the international freight management and logistics provider, has been awarded Airfreight Forwarder of the Year 2014 at the global World Air Cargo Awards Ceremony in Shanghai.

Geodis Wilson celebrated its third win after 2010 and 2011 at the prestigious Air Cargo Awards, hosted by leading global publication in the sector, Air Cargo Week. Voted for by airfreight service users around the world the annual awards celebrate excellence and achievement

“We are honoured and delighted that Geodis Wilson has been recognized by our customers around the world for our outstanding level of service,” said Henk Venema, Global Product Director Air at Geodis Wilson. The key criteria on which those voting were asked to rate award entrants were global network coverage, customer service focus and performance, and commitment to developing new technology.

Eric-Martine Neuville, Geodis Wilson’s COO, received the award on behalf of his Geodis Wilson colleagues. “I’m proud of what the Geodis Wilson team has achieved over the last twelve months and thank those who gave us their vote in return. We truly feel rewarded by our international clients for this encouragement,” he stated.

Geodis Wilson once more came out top of an impressive short-list of awards entrants that included all mayor players of this industry.

(l-r): Steven Weathers, the Presenter; Henk Venema, Global Product Director Air, Geodis Wilson; Eric-Martine Neuville, COO, Geodis Wilson; Simon Yam, Managing Director Geodis Wilson Greater China; Rudolf Steiner, Cargo Sales, Swissport International Ltd

ENDS

About Geodis Wilson and the Geodis Group

Geodis Wilson is a leading global freight management company. With 9.000 employees in more than 60 countries the company delivers tailor-made, integrated logistics solutions to customers enabling them to operate as ‘best in class.’ Geodis Wilson is the freight-forwarding arm of Geodis Group. As global supply chain operator and fully owned subsidiary of the SNCF Group, Geodis is a European group with global reach. The Group’s ability to address logistics constraints and to coordinate all or part of the supply chain (air and sea freight forwarding, groupage/express, contract logistics, transport of part and full truck loads, reverse logistics, supply chain management and optimization) enables it to support its customers in their development and to provide them with solutions to optimize their physical and information flows. Present in 67 countries, the Group’s 30,900 employees aim to continuously innovate and push back the limits in order to improve both their own performance and that of their customers. Geodis reported revenues of € 6.9 billion in 2013.

For more information about Geodis Wilson go to – www.geodiswilson.com

The Shipowners’ Club Announces Strong Results Amid Competitive Market Conditions

20 June 2014

The Shipowners’ Club, which is the leading P&I insurer in the smaller and specialist vessel sector, has reported very healthy results for the twelve months ending 20th February 2014.  Entered members, vessels and tonnage all grew, resulting in an increase of 9.8% in gross premiums, a combined ratio of 98.9% and an 8.4% increase in free reserves to USD298.9 million. The results were achieved against a background of increased competition and a continuing upward trend in claims.

Highlights:

  • Earned premiums USD213.1 million
  • Incurred claims USD158.5 million
  • Underwriting surplus USD2.3 million
  • Investment return USD20.9 million
  • Increase in free reserves USD23.2 million
  • Capital and free reserves USD298.9 million
  • Combined ratio 98.9%

In his statement Shipowners’ Chairman, Donald MacLeod drew attention to the performance of the Club over the six-year period since the so-called economic crisis of 2008 and the trading difficulties that have ensued.  “The Club has successfully navigated these troublesome and difficult waters, emerging stronger than ever by adhering to the principles that it should achieve a balanced underwriting result, and that investment income should be used to bolster reserves, not subsidise rates,” he said.

Indeed, without the need for unbudgeted calls, free reserves have increased by some 142% over this six-year period to a total of USD298.9 million and the Club’s investment portfolio has risen to USD569.3 million.  The average combined ratio over the period was 90.6%.  “This performance more than justifies the consistency of purpose portrayed by the Club with prudent underwriting over the long haul,” stated MacLeod.

Chief Executive Charles Hume emphasised the continued attraction to new members of Shipowners’ renowned commitment to the best interests of owners’ in the specialist vessel sectors.  “Notwithstanding the increased competition in our market the Club has continued its strong rate of growth adding 457 Members and 1,118 vessels, representing an increase in tonnage entered of 1.7 million GT, during the 2013 policy year.  This growth brings additional stability to the Club’s risk profile but also illustrates the ongoing appeal of the traditional virtues of a mutual Club – continuity, stability and security,” he stated.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

The Shipowners’ Club is a mutual marine liability insurer, providing Protection & Indemnity insurance to small and specialist vessels since 1855. The Club currently insures over 33,000 vessels from more than 6,200 Members worldwide and is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

The Club has branches in London and Singapore.  A copy of the 2014 Annual Report can be accessed here http://www.shipownersclub.com/media/529978/ar-2014-printable.pdf

“K” Line to Invest in Two (2) Additional Next Generation Car Carriers

June 23, 2014

 

KAWASAKI KISEN KAISHA, LTD. (“K” Line) is pleased to announce that in addition to its recent identical 8-vessel shipbuilding contracts with delivery from 2015 to 2016, it has been decided to order two (2) additional new next generation 7,500 RT car carrier vessels with delivery in 2017 from Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co. Ltd.

By adding these two new additional ships, line-up of our new next generation car carrier vessels, with better stability and increased fuel efficiency, will expand to a total of ten. We are committed to continue to deliver value added efficiency as well as the capability of handling an even wider variety of cargo mix to assure our services successfully meet the needs of our valued customers in order to be best suited for not only passenger cars but also other RORO cargoes.

For further information please contact:

Yu Kurimoto

Group Manager, Car Carrier Planning & Development Group

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.  Tel: +81-3-3595-5471

Ryota Araki

Manager, Car Carrier Planning & Co-operation Team,

Car Carrier Planning & Development Group

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.  Tel: +81-3-3595-5468

Evergreen named Best Intra-Asia Shipping Line

Global ocean carrier Evergreen Line has been awarded “Best Shipping Line – Intra-Asia” by Cargonews Asia in the 28st Annual Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA) sponsored by the publication. The award was presented on 17 June, 2014 at a ceremony taking place at The Peninsula Shanghai. Evergreen Line emerged as the top choice out of several container carriers entered in the competition.   

The criteria for the award include maintenance of schedule integrity, effective and easy to use IT systems backed by efficient and professional customer service systems, and comprehensive ports of call on the specific trade.

To provide customers with reliable and comprehensive service, Evergreen Line actively conducts fleet renewal program and enhances service cooperation with strategic partners via joint service and slot swap arrangement.  The carrier currently offers 60 service routes in the Asian market, offering extensive port coverage across East Asia, Southeast Asia, India Subcontinent and Middle East.  The award of “Best Shipping Line – Intra-Asia” is well-deserved recognition of Evergreen’s service quality.

The AFSCA awards are designed to honour the respective winning organizations for demonstrating leadership as well as consistency in service quality, innovation, customer relationship management and reliability. The accolade is particularly significant because it signifies a vote of confidence in the carrier’s efforts to provide shippers with quality service.

TT Club Calls for Increased Efforts to Reduce Accidents in Ports and Cargo Handling Facilities

In a speech given to the Trans Middle East Conference in Qatar in May, Andrew Kemp, Regional Director EMEA of the freight transport insurance specialist TT Club, called for operators to do more to minimise the causes of incidents resulting in bodily injury, cargo and property damage

London 18 June, 2014

Analysis of extensive TT Club data has shown that over 80% of insurance claims related to cargo handling at ports and terminals are the result of operational shortcomings or poor equipment maintenance.  “It is clear,” emphasised Kemp, “that many of these incidents are avoidable if operators were to pay greater attention to some basic safety related processes and give a higher standard of training to their employees.”

In addition, the presentation to freight industry professionals from across the Middle East region stressed the economic validity of well-advised insurance cover.  Kemp quoted from UK Health & Safety Executive research.  “This national authority estimated that for every pound sterling spent on insurance there is between eight and thirty-six pounds of costs incurred through the consequences of uninsured incidents.  These expenses cover such outgoings as emergency supplies, reputational damage, operational delays and increased maintenance and training requirements after the event, let alone the costs of management time,” he highlighted.

The analysis of a total of over 9,500 claims, carried out by the Club on data received over the past seven years, showed that a low percentage, just 5%, were caused by weather or similar natural causes.  The vast majority came as a result of much more avoidable causes – a quarter being due to poor maintenance of property or equipment and some 66% down to failures in some facet of the operation.

Much can be learned from the analysis of these operational issues.  Kemp stated, “We found that over a half of incidents involved the internal systems and processes of the operator and another quarter were due to theft.  These types of claim are most assuredly to be placed in the category of preventable,” he said.

Terminal and cargo handling facility operators are therefore strongly urged to employ effective monitoring and checking procedures, a regular training regime and to maintain industry best practice for safety and security.  The conference presentation exemplified a number of situations where a lack of traffic flow systems and speed limits, allowing people into operational areas and use of inferior spare parts on lifting equipment (to name just a few examples) regularly caused damage and injury.

As a result TT Club can, and frequently does, offer effective advice on loss prevention and risk management.  “Prevention can be successfully achieved via a combination of safe and physically secure facilities and equipment, rigorous checks and double-checks on safety procedures, combined with well-trained, well-motivated employees and trusted partners,” concluded Kemp.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services.  As a mutual insurer, the TT Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

Customers include some of the world’s largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators.

www.ttclub.com

Menlo Promotes 4PL Flexibility as Solution to Supply Chain Resilience

 

A recent academic conference in Paris organised by the LOG4Green partnership provided the platform for Menlo Logistics’ Arthur van Gerven to explain the rationale behind employing a 4PL in ‘Managing Risk and Resilience in Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management for Urban Supply’

Amsterdam 17 June, 2014

A resilient supply chain is the fundamental goal of the majority of enterprises throughout the world.  Increased complexity, the pressure to become both more efficient and environmentally friendly, as well as the geographical distances involved in such supply chains all contribute to a greater risk of disruption.  Clearly solutions need to become increasingly innovative to meet the challenge.

Arthur van Gerven from the global logistics service provider Menlo Logistics was recently invited to join professors of logistics and other leading authorities from around Europe to address the issue and present Menlo’s view on how solutions can be created. The TRA 2014 Conference, of which Van Gerven’s session formed a part, was organized by the LOG4GREEN* cooperation.  This initiative aims at awareness raising and strengthening the competitiveness in Europe’s logistics sector.

Van Gerven started from the premise that 4PL or lead logistics provision benefits supply chain resilience by avoiding the causes of disruption or by better adapting to its consequences.  “The over-sight provided by a 4PL operator will improve performance in four criteria, which are key to the resilience of any supply chain,” explained van Gerven. “The model provides flexibility to achieve rapid reaction to circumstances; predictability in order to maximise optimisation and both cost and carbon efficiency, which promote business and environmental sustainability.”

Out-sourcing to a 3PL service provider goes some way to managing the results of supply chain  disruption whether created by a major disaster capable of paralysing a complete production process or more minor localised events such as traffic congestion or labour disputes.  However, a 4PL approach, over-seeing all out-sourced logistics suppliers allows for the identification also of more systematic, process-driven inefficiencies.  A good 4PL is capable of designing solutions to reinforce any complex supply chain.

Menlo’s approach, as described by van Gerven in the real-life context of a retail sportswear customer, revolves around the technique of Value Stream Mapping.  This is part of the Lean methodology and has as its primary goals the elimination of waste and creating a road map for continuous improvement.

As a result of employing this philosophy, resilience is built into the supply chain performance.  Measurement of asset leverage and process efficiency as well as emission target achievement is continuous and the ability to resist disruption is constantly reviewed.  Disaster recovery and contingency planning can then also take place with the confidence that a robust yet flexible supply chain is already in operation.

In concluding van Gerven also underlined a further benefit of the 4PL’s adaptability. “Resilience is also enhanced by the ability of shippers and their 4PL’s to collaborate in reducing supply chain waste and emissions and therefore improve sustainability through the joint utilisation of assets and sharing of resources.  This is a vital consideration in the future success of minimising supply chain disruption,” he said.

*http://www.log4green.eu

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Speakers & panelists at TRA 2014 – Paris: Managing Risk and Resilience in Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management for Urban Supply –

Prof. Alan McKinnon, Kühne Logistics University Hamburg (Germany), Arthur van Gerven, Senior Director Business Development, Menlo Logistics (Netherlands), Dr. Pierre Laconte, President of the Foundation for the Urban Environment (Belgium), and Prof. Cathy Macharis, Vrije Universiteit Brussels (Belgium). The session was chaired by Klaus Krumme, Executive Director of the Centre for Logistics & Traffic (University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany) and Prof. Metin Türkay (Koc University Istanbul, Turkey).

TRA-Paris__1

Photo Caption: (l-r) Prof. Cathy Macharis, Vrije Universiteit Brussels (Belgium); Arthur van Gerven, Senior Director Business Development, Menlo Logistics (Netherlands), Dr. Pierre Laconte, President of the Foundation for the Urban Environment (Belgium)

 

About Menlo Logistics Europe

In Europe, Menlo Logistics maintains seventeen dedicated and multi-client logistics centres located in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom. This warehouse network can serve as pan-European distribution solution using one or several facilities.

Supply chain and transport management solutions as well as 3PL, warehousing and distribution services are offered to a variety of vertical industry sectors including: fashion & apparel; healthcare and medical equipment; hi-tech electronic; oil and gas and data network equipment; automotive; defense and government services and retail e-fulfillment. The European headquarters is at the multi-client Amsterdam Distribution Centre in the Netherlands.

www.menloworldwide.com/europe

 

Follow Menlo on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MenloLogistics

 

About Menlo Logistics

Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.7 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Francisco, California-based Menlo Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfillment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities.

 

With nearly 20million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world. Menlo Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.7 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company.

 

Media Contact:

Peter Owen, ISIS Communications

Tel:          +44 (0) 1737 248300

Email: peter@isiscomms.com

 

An archive of all Menlo Logistics news releases and photographs is available from the ISIS Communications Press Room at www.isiscomms.com

 

TT Club Highlights Preventable Accidents in Ports and Cargo Handling Facilities

In a speech given yesterday at the ASEAN Ports & Shipping Conference in Jakarta, Phillip Emmanuel, Regional Director Asia-Pacific of the freight transport insurance specialist TT Club, called for operators to do more to minimise preventable accidents that result in bodily injury, cargo and property damage

Hong Kong 12th June, 2014

As a leading freight transport insurer TT Club numbers many port terminals a cargo handling facilities among its Members and as such occupies a prime position from which to identify the primary causes of risk and to advise on how such causes can be minimised.  An extensive analysis the Club’s historic claims data has shown that 68% of the cost of claims results from incidents of an operational nature within the port or terminal and a further 14% from poor or insufficient maintenance.  The remainder were weather related.

“It is clear,” emphasised Emmanuel, “that many of these incidents are avoidable if operators were to pay greater attention to some key safety related processes, install more available technology to help prevent collisions and give a higher standard to training to their employees.”

The analysis of a total of over 9,500 claims over a seven-year period totalled some US$ 400 million and covered bodily injury, property and equipment damage and liability.

Emmanuel was at pains to point out that much can be learned from the analysis and that TT Club is ready, willing and able to advise its Members and the industry in general on how such incidents can be avoided and claims minimised.  “The reduction of claims assists the efficiency and profitability of many operators.  It is not just the unforeseen costs of such accidents and the crucial eradication of injury to staff and third parties that results from good risk management,” argued Emmanuel.   “The reputation of the cargo handling organisation is enhanced through an improved safety record.  Operational delays are lessened and customer service levels heightened,” he emphasised.

TT Club strongly urges the use of industry best practice when it comes to safety and security procedures, regular training regimes for management and employees and the inclusion of quality safety devices when designing handling equipment specifications and/or budgeting for retrofitting such devices.

In his presentation to industry professional from throughout the ASEAN region Emmanuel gave several examples of how the later measure can be particularly effective.  “31% of the quay crane damage identified in our analysis was as a result of crane boom collisions; either crane-to-crane or the crane boom hitting a vessel.  There is a good choice of effective boom anti-collision sensors on the market, which if installed professionally and maintained correctly would avert a large number of these accidents,” he noted.  In the container yard, automated stack profiling systems are also available, which would have helped avoid some of the 339 claims incidents experienced by TT over the seven years covered by its causal analysis.

Likewise much of the cost of theft can be alleviated by employing improved security regimes.  These may involve physical barriers such as better fencing and more CCTVs but should also include more effective processes such as paperwork checks and IT anti-hacking software.

Emmanuel concluded, “Prevention through careful risk management is by far the best cure for costly incidents.  A combination of safe and physically secure facilities and equipment; rigorous checks and double-checks on safety procedures and well-trained, well-motivated employees will go a long way to improve operational loss in ports.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services.  As a mutual insurer, the TT Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

Customers include some of the world’s largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators.
www.ttclub.com

Contacts:

Media:

Peter Owen

ISIS Communications

Tel: +44 (0)1737 248300

E-mail: info@isiscomms.com  

 

TT Club:

Tally Judge

Tel: +44 (0)20 7204 2632

E-mail: tally.judge@thomasmiller.com

www.ttclub.com