Transport communications

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Archives for June 2021

TT Club Selects Insurity’s Oceanwide Marine Suite to Accelerate its Digital Strategy, Increase Functionality, and Streamline Operations

As the most comprehensive global marine solution available, Oceanwide Marine Suite will help TT Club accelerate its digital strategy by providing a more enhanced user experience and greater functionality in its cargo insurance business

HARTFORD, Conn. – June 22, 2021 – Insurity, a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs today announced that TT Club has successfully implemented Oceanwide Marine Suite for its cargo insurance business. TT is a leading provider of insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. This new implementation of Oceanwide Marine Suite will accelerate TT’s digital strategy by streamlining the cargo insurance policy configuration process, facilitating faster collaboration with brokers and clients, and enhancing customer offerings.

Headquartered in the U.K., TT offers comprehensive coverage for transport and logistics service providers across the globe, covering all types of liability in a rapidly diversifying market environment.  TT’s customers include the world’s largest container shipping lines, many of the busiest ports, maritime and intermodal terminals, freight forwarders, and cargo handling facilities. 

Insurity’s Oceanwide Marine Suite enables TT to meet the freight forwarding industry’s developing digital needs by sharing enhanced underwriting offerings with their cargo insurance clients. Oceanwide Marine Suite will allow TT to promote real-time collaboration between multiple parties to offer operational efficiencies in the management and administration of marine cargo insurance policies. Various tools within the suite allow users to rapidly process referrals and proactively manage exposures, with complete data transparency.

“After a review of potential technology providers, we felt that Insurity’s Oceanwide Marine Suite would deliver to our customers a modern, dynamic and responsive system,” said Kevin King, TT Chief Operating Officer. “The global transport and logistics sector is driving towards increased digitalization in a quest to improve trading standards and efficiency. In this environment, we believe Insurity to be a strong business partner for TT. The advanced technology represented in Oceanwide Marine gives our forwarders and their clients a system appropriate to current and future needs.”

“Insurity is excited for TT to accelerate their digitalization initiatives even faster as they take advantage of various integration capabilities that Oceanwide Marine Suite offers. They will evaluate risk more easily and improve underwriting results through access to better analytics and intelligence about account and portfolio profitability across a variety of exposure criteria,” said Syl Mathis, Chief Insurance Officer at Insurity. “TT’s customers gain a modern platform which has functionality to provide immediate coverage and go above-and-beyond in fulfilling the trading needs of their members.”

About Insurity

Insurity is a leading provider of cloud-based software and analytics for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs. Insurity is trusted by 15 of the top 25 P&C carriers in the US and has over 200 cloud-based deployments. Through its best-in-class digital platform and with unrivaled industry experience and thought leadership, Insurity is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value, empowering customers to focus on their core businesses, optimize their operations, and provide superior policyholder experiences. Insurity is a portfolio company of GI Partners. For more information, visit www.insurity.com.

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry, with a mission to make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 93% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more. 
https://www.ttclub.com/

Participation in R&D and demonstration project for CO2 marine transportation

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (hereinafter ”K” LINE), Nippon Gas Line Co., Ltd. (hereinafter NGL) and Ochanomizu University will participate in the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) project, “CCUS R&D and Demonstration Related Project / Large-scale CCUS Demonstration in Tomakomai / Demonstration Project on CO2 Transportation” on consignment from Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (hereinafter ENAA) and promote the development for social implementation of liquified CO2 maritime transportation.

CCUS (Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage) is a technology that can capture, effectively utilize and store the CO2 emissions from fossil power generation and industrial processes. CCUS is expected to play a key role in contributing to the achievement of Carbon Neutrality by 2050. “K” LINE, NGL, Ochanomizu University and ENAA will jointly develop technologies for liquefied CO2 marine transportation and contribute to the realization of long-distance / large-scale CO2 transportation enabling cost reduction through the development of CCUS technology in the demonstration project.

“K” LINE has a long history and diversified track-record in ownership and technical management of liquefied gas carriers. Utilizing our expertise in liquefied gas (LNG/LPG) transportation business and know-how accumulated over many years, we are committed to the safe operation of liquefied gas carriers and professional handling of liquefied gas cargoes. Additionally, “K” LINE is participating in “CO₂-Free Hydrogen Energy Supply-Chain Technology Research Association” (HySTRA) and is cooperating in domestic demonstration test of the world’s first liquefied Hydrogen Carrier “SUISO FRONTIER”, as an initiative to realize a carbon-neutral society. Based on such extensive experience of safe navigation and cargo operation of liquefied gas carriers and demonstration project of HySTRA(R1), “K” Line will conduct a safety / environmental evaluation during navigation and cargo operation for the demonstration liquefied CO2 carrier and establish technical guidelines.

The “K” LINE Group is promoting its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with its “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 and will contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society through this demonstration project of liquefied CO2 marine transportation.

Scope of demonstration project
Organisation chart and role
Organization nameRole
Engineering Advancement Association of Japan  Coordination of R&D and demonstration project for CO2 marine transportation Take charge of planning, evaluation, analysis and coordination of R&D and demonstration project of liquefied CO2 carrier based on advanced research of CO2 transportation technology, which started as the NEDO project “Conceptual design of CO2 transportation system” since 2008.
Nippon Gas Line Co.,Ltd.  R&D of marine transportation, and Operation and Ship management of the demonstration liquefied CO2 carrier Take charge of developing safe and efficient liquefied CO2 marine transportation technology, and operating and managing the demonstration liquefied CO2 carrier based on 60-year experience of pressurized liquefied gas carriers (as one of the largest domestic ship operator specialized in LPG carrier).
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.  Safety / environmental evaluation of the demonstration liquefied CO2 carrier Promote R&D of the demonstration liquefied CO2 carrier with extensive experience of ocean-going liquefied gas vessels. Conduct a safety / environmental evaluation in consideration of regulatory surrounding international liquefied gas carriers and establish technical guidelines.
Ochanomizu University  Research of liquefied CO2 pressure control and stability Conduct basic research of CO2 physical properties under non-equilibrium conditions and dry-ice phenomenon during marine transportation with experience in studying non-equilibrium phenomena of reactive fluid.

GEODIS wins contract with the Californian electrical bikes company “Super73”

Super73, a California-based designer and manufacturer of electric bikes has awarded GEODIS a 3-year contract to support its market growth in Europe and the Middle East. GEODIS’ responsibilities will include customs brokerage, warehousing, value-added services (for instance the attachment of seats) and European distribution to retail outlets and consumers and export shipments to the Middle East and Africa, from multiple GEODIS facilities in Europe.  

The demand of e-bikes has soared in recent years and Super73 has grown rapidly. The brand is very well established in the US and is quickly gaining popularity in Europe and the Middle East. There has become a need for a logistics partner that could help take advantage of this potential and accelerate market growth. By combining the Group services of Contract Logistics, Freight Forwarding and Distribution & Express and integrating them on a single online platform (IRIS*), GEODIS is able to provide Super73 with maximum supply chain visibility.

“Super73 presented us with a challenge that enabled us to show and utilize our full scope of services” – says Mark van den Assem, Managing Director of GEODIS in the Benelux. “It demands the successful cooperation of not only GEODIS’ multiple lines of business and country operations, but also a new creative integration of warehouse management systems with other applications.”

“We understand the complexities of developing new markets, particularly the logistics of supplying new customers not just with a superior product but with an efficient and reliable supply line. For a startup like ours, scalability is the name of the game, and we found in GEODIS a devoted team of logistics professionals focusing on just that.” says Nicolas Danan, the General Manager of Super73 Europe.

“GEODIS makes it easy for us as they provide the whole spectrum of transport, warehousing, and distribution services all over European Union and the UK.“, adds Fabian Hardjoprajitno, Operations Manager of Super73 Europe.

Super73 is another brand with an environmental conscience to have chosen GEODIS as its logistics partner.

*IRIS gives GEODIS customers information on the real-time status of their shipments.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport) coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

Are your containers fit for purpose?

At a time of container supply imbalance leading to shortages, international freight transport insurer TT Club warns against cutting corners when it comes structural integrity, cleanliness and cargo-worthiness of those that are loaded.

The responsibilities of container operators providing empty boxes and those packing them with cargo should not be forgotten in a period when such equipment is in short supply and temptations to forego security and safety measures are strong. 

Containers have numerous touch points in any given supply chain, becoming the responsibility for shorter or longer periods with a variety of stakeholders. During these unprecedented times, TT’s continued message to all parties is one of resilience and continuity of robust practices. This challenging period, for those reliant upon the container, provides an opportunity to reflect on the roles and responsibilities defined within the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)¹, as well as the necessary safety properties of a container and its suitability to carry its intended cargo.

Mike Yarwood, TT’s Managing Director, Loss Prevention comments, “The ripple effects of various national lockdowns, interruptions in trade and less predictable peaks and troughs in cargo volumes has resulted in severe imbalances of container equipment,” he notes. 

“Compounding the challenge, national stay and work at home policies have resulted in unexpected surges in consumer demand particularly for e-commerce goods, translating to beyond peak demand for empty containers in the dominant manufacturing centres of Asia.  These circumstances must not be allowed to lead to the widespread use of inferior container equipment or that which does not comply with industry standards.”

TT has for long promoted the use of the CTU Code but recognises its contents are lengthy and can be challenging to access.  Therefore, together with colleagues in the Cargo Integrity Group (CIG), it has made available the ‘CTU Code – A Quick Guide’² which includes a user-friendly Container Packing Check List. The Container Condition section asks the following questions:

  • Is the container exterior free from soil or other visible infestation by pests?
  • Is the container exterior in good condition, and not significantly distorted, cracked or bent?
  • Does the container have a valid CSC Approval Plate?
  • Is the container interior free from signs of damage, signs of water ingress, rust, residues, stains or debris?
  • Is the container interior free from soil or other visible infestation by pests?

While imbalances, delays and restricted availability will place additional stress on all those involved in the supply chain, maintaining rigour in operations is vital. The ultimate question – is your container for purpose? – must always be answered honestly and in full.

¹Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code),

²CTU Code – A Quick Guide

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 93% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more.

www.ttclub.com

Harren Bulkers adds first Handysize bulker to its fleet

The fleet continues to grow: Harren Bulkers is proud to announce the acquisition of the Handysize bulker Pabari. The fleet now counts 23 ships.

Bremen-based ship owning and ship management company Harren Bulkers has acquired the Handysize bulker Pabari (37,000 tdw, built 2012, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, South Korea). With an overall length of 186.96 m (beam 28.60 m, depth moulded 15.60 m), Pabari is currently the smallest ship in the Harren Bulkers fleet. The chartering is done by OneBulk from Hamburg.

Joachim Zeppenfeld, Managing Director at Harren Bulkers, explains: “We are very happy that we were able to complete the project together with our partners Bertling and OneBulk. Pabari is a modern ship with a highly flexible economic design. And, as the first Handysize bulker, she is a valuable addition to our growing fleet.“

Patrik Pukall, Head of Project Finance at Harren & Partner and General Manager at Harren Bulkers, adds: “In this market situation, we believe it is important to set up our projects on a stable long-term basis to secure financial stability for our project partners and, at the same time, take advantage of the positive market trend. We and our partner, OneBulk, were lucky to get the timing right.”

About Harren Bulkers: With Harren Bulkers, the Harren & Partner Group wants to bring its experience, expertise and passion to the bulker market. Harren Bulkers is the new one-stop shop for all kinds of bulk carrier projects. In addition to offering full asset management and financing services, Harren Bulkers provides access to commercial bulk markets through its global network. The dedicated bulker team consists of more than 30 experienced technical superintendents, engineers and operators, while the young fleet comprises 23 vessels. Harren Bulkers’ promise to customers and business partners: Everything we do drives value – we work cost-effectively to better preserve the value of your assets with diligent care and superior service. Benefit from our experience and full-service suite – and leave your vessel in safe hands with us.

For more information about Harren Bulkers, go to www.harren-bulkers.de

GEODIS acquires 200 natural gas vehicles from IVECO

GEODIS is investing in a “green” fleet for urban delivery in France. The aim is to reduce pollution and noise disturbance. On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, Stéphane Cassagne, GEODIS Executive Vice President of Distribution & Express Line of Business, and Emilio Portillo, Managing Director of IVECO France, signed an agreement that includes an order for 200 CNG vehicles that will be fueled with biogas. Delivery is scheduled for the end of 2021.

Left: Emilio Portillo, Managing Director of IVECO France
Right : Stéphane Cassagne, Executive Vice President of GEODIS’ Distribution & Express line of business.

“This investment marks another new step for GEODIS in reducing the impact of its activities on the environment and combating climate change. In particular, by greening road transport in the last mile we will contribute to decarbonizing the sector. Urban logistics is at the heart of our actions.” says Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO of GEODIS.

GEODIS’ goal is to achieve 100% carbon-free transport to the city centers of France’s 35 largest cities (with populations of more than 150,000 inhabitants) within three years. The proactive strategy initiated several years ago has reached a new level with the signing of this order with IVECO, the leader in alternative energies, with nearly 60% of the French market.

Left: Emilio Portillo, Managing Director of IVECO France
Right : Stéphane Cassagne, Executive Vice President of GEODIS’ Distribution & Express line of business.

GEODIS chose 107 IVECO Daily and 93 Eurocargo vehicles powered by BioGNV, a fuel that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 95% while offering the same performance as a diesel vehicle. Compared to a Euro VI-E diesel vehicle, fine particle emissions are reduced by 95% and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions by 90%. These vehicles fall into the Crit’Air 1 category. Certified by Pieck Quiet Truck 71 dB, they are able to make silent deliveries by day and night.

“The increased use of new energies is a lever for action to reduce the emissions linked to our distribution activities. This order for 200 vehicles is a major step that marks our commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. It positions us as a major player in clean delivery in France, an ambition that brings yet more benefits to our customers.” said Stéphane Cassagne, Executive Vice President of GEODIS’ Distribution & Express line of business.

“We welcome GEODIS’ commitment and the trust placed in our brand. IVECO believed very early on in the natural gas solution, for which demand is growing steadily in France and in Europe. With this solution, which meets the triple objective of protecting our health, the climate and the quality of life in the city, our vehicles have become the benchmark for transporters who are already committed to the ecological transition.” said Emilio Portillo, Managing Director of IVECO France.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport) coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

IVECO
IVECO is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V., a World leader in Capital Goods listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNHI) and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of the Borsa Italiana (MI: CNHI). IVECO designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, and vehicles for applications such as off-road missions.

The brand’s wide range of products include the Daily, a vehicle that covers the 3.3 – 7.2 ton vehicle weight segment, the Eurocargo from 6 – 19 tons and, in the heavy segment above 16 tons,  the IVECO WAY range with the on-road IVECO S-WAY, the off-road IVECO T-WAY  and the IVECO X-WAY for light off-road missions. In addition, the IVECO Astra brand builds off-road trucks, rigid and articulated dumpers as well as special vehicles.

IVECO employs close to 21,000 individuals globally. It manages production sites in 7 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America where it produces vehicles featuring the latest advanced technologies. 4,200 sales and service outlets in over 160 countries guarantee technical support wherever an IVECO vehicle is at work.

For further information about IVECO: www.iveco.com

“K” Line : Notice of occurrence of Non-Operating Income by dividends income

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (hereafter, “the Company”) will account following dividends income on Non-Operating Income of non-consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.

1) Outline of dividends

The Company will receive dividends of about 61 million U.S. Dollars from OCEAN NETWORK EXPRESS PTE. LTD., the affiliate company accounted with the equity method in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The dividend is scheduled to be received on June 21, 2021.

2) Impact on The Companyʼs business performance

The Company will account aforementioned dividends income on Non-Operating Income of non-consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.

There will not be impact on consolidated financial results at the period, as it is dividends from the affiliate company accounted with the equity method.

GEODIS creates new global management training program

GEODIS is launching “Manage!“, a program designed to support its 8,000 managers around the world. Built around the company’s 7 Leadership Principles, it aims to strengthen their skills and leadership through a 14-week program. This will be key to stimulating commitment and creativity in their teams and partners, to achieve the goals of GEODIS’ “Ambition 2023” strategic plan.

“In a pandemic context marked by a disruption of norms and traditional benchmarks, management is even more essential today. To lead our market, the quality of our managers and the commitment of our teams are crucial. This new program aims to ensure that our leaders have all the attributes to support their employees and encourage them to remain agile and in tune with what is happening in the world,” explains Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO of GEODIS.

The Manage! program includes six training modules, including a total of 24 hours of group sessions, combined with online resources and personal assignments. It addresses decision-making, performance management, communication and feedback, through modules such as “developing your emotional intelligence” and “collaborating and coming together in decision-making”.

“People are at the heart of our business. This new program is based on the 7 GEODIS Leadership Principles which define our Group’s expectations of its leaders. It aims to develop the skills of our teams while sharing a common corporate culture, regardless of geographical location,” concludes Mario Ceccon, Executive Vice President Group Human Resources.

The 7 GEODIS Leadership Principles:

  • Be a Strategy Ambassador
  • Debate. Decide. Align.
  • Drive results
  • Duty to communicate
  • Engage and empower people
  • Own the All
  • Walk the talk

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport) coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

“K” LINE Holds Environmental Awards 2021 Ceremony

“K” Line Group Environmental Awards 2021 Ceremony held online on June 4, 2021.

The awards were established to honor and give recognition to outstanding environmental-preservation-contributive activities undertaken by both executives and employees working throughout the “K” LINE Group according to the direction developed in “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050. This year marks the 7th awards since establishment of the awards in 2015, and we also have accepted many entries from our group companies both in Japan and overseas. Activities of seven companies have been selected from such standpoints as “originality,” “challenge level,” “degree of contribution,” “continuity” and “potential for pervasiveness”, and have received the awards from our President and CEO, Yukikazu Myochin.

The “K” LINE Group will continue to share environmental preservation activities being addressed within our Group companies broadly in order that we can further advance dissemination and enlightenment of environmental preservation activities as an entire Group effort by the presentation of these “K” Line Group Environmental Awards. Through this emphasis on continuing aggressively to contribute to environmental preservation and biodiversity protection, we should successfully accomplish our mission, i.e., “Passing on a sustainable society and this blue and beautiful ocean to the next generation” expressed in “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050.

Awardees of the “K” Line Group Environmental Awards are as follows:

(Grand Award)

Recycling a shrink films to reduce cost , industrial wastes and CO2 emissions.

Nitto Total Logistics Ltd

At the CFS warehouse, when receiving loose cargo and/or unstable cargo, shrink film was wrapped around the cargo to prevent from cargo collapsing. It was peeled off during vanning and discarded as industrial waste.

In FY2019, they discharged plastic-based industrial waste seven times during the period from April to December, but by making it possible to recycle, the number of exports to industrial waste in FY2020 was reduced to three times.

(Excellence Award)

  • ECO DRIVING TRAINING PROGRAM

(Training on how to drive a trailer that is environmentally friendly and reduces fuel consumption)

Prixcar Services Australia

  • Raising employees’ awareness of environmental conservation by issuing environmental reports and participating in social and environmental conservation activities

”K” Line (China) Ltd.

  • Raise the crew’s awareness of energy saving by distributing energy-saving stickers

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.  Advanced Technology Group

(Special Award) 

SEAGATE CORPORATION(20 entries / Second Achievement Award since 2018)

X-Press Pearl fire highlights duty of care required in shipping hazardous cargoes

The appalling events still unfolding at an anchorage off Colombo serve once more to underline the continuing problem of ship fires caused by the mishandling of dangerous goods.  TT Club again urges all those involved in the movement of such cargoes to step up to their responsibilities and to act with transparency and diligence in matters of safety in transport.  

The X-Press Pearl’s sad fate is the latest in a disappointing recent and persistent catalogue of container ship fires of varying degrees of severity, which occur on an almost weekly basis.  The vast majority of these are initiated by a cargo of a hazardous nature.  One estimate puts the number of mis- or undeclared dangerous cargoes in excess of 150,000 containers a year – each of which has disastrous potential.  While still to be fully investigated, the catalyst for the inferno on the X-Press Pearl has been asserted to be a leakage of nitric acid, which was correctly declared but apparently incorrectly packaged or packed.

TT Club has been campaigning for some time to reduce these life-threatening, cargo and ship damaging, environmentally impactful and highly costly events.  This activity includes promoting awareness and wider use of the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units – the CTU Code – and seeking changes in regulatory requirements to improve the clarity, application, implementation and enforcement of mandatory regulations, including the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Peregrine Storrs-Fox is TT Club’s Risk Management Director, “Effective review of regulations is to be applauded.  Indeed, the latest meeting of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee debated in detail the issue of container ship fires.  However, such consideration will not result in speedy change,” he comments.  “Holistic industry led initiatives are necessary. An understanding by all the actors in the supply chain of safe packaging, packing, loading and unloading of containers, and of the need for detailed, accurate information of the cargo’s attributes and any potentially hazardous reactions to any eventuality occurring through the entire transit, is necessary.  Above all truth, trust and transparency must guide all involved.”

TT Club organised a series of three webinars earlier this year covering all aspects of container ship fires, which looked at the whole gamut of the issue from ensuring that cargo packing, declaration and stowage are right; how the ship and its crew are able to respond to incidents when they arise, specifically in terms of firefighting capability; and to the aspects of forensic investigation and legal work leading through to the probable litigation after the event.  All three videos can be accessed HERE

Fundamental framework guidance for cargo packing is found in the CTU Code, which TT is striving to have better understood and utilised, embarking with fellow members of the established Cargo Integrity Group in producing the ‘CTU Code – Quick Guide’ and ‘Container Packing Checklist’ to enable easier reference to the Code.  Already translated and available in four of the official six UN languages, the remaining translations of the Quick Guide will be published soon.  It is currently available for download HERE in English, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin and Traditional) and Spanish.

Storrs Fox understands the extent of the task.  “It is a significant challenge to have all those responsible for the safe dispatch of general cargo to follow the CTU Code, particularly when often done on behalf of other parties and disconnected from transport risks” he comments.  “However, dangerous goods are subject to mandatory regulation. In the case of this casualty, we see another element to the problem.  The offending cargo was apparently correctly declared, with its relevant properties known, and presumably originating from an experienced shipper.  Yet for whatever reason the packaging was inappropriate or the packing and/or securing within the container was insufficient, resulting in a dangerous leakage.  While supply chains are complex and the hazards numerous, relevant knowledge and guidance are critical, within a control environment that must include effective inspection and enforcement regimes.”

ENDS

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 93% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more.

www.ttclub.com