The long-running annual TT Innovation in Safety Award organized by international cargo handling association ICHCA will this year be presented to a greater number of varied innovators with both winner and highly-commended to be presented in each of four distinct categories.

London, 4^th February, 2025

The enthusiasm with which the Award has been received since its inception in 2016 is evidenced by the consistent number of inspiring entries each year.  All deserve praise for the calibre of their innovation and for the passion for safety that they exhibit. Over the years a marked increase the diversity of the nature of innovative products, services and processes has been noted. 

This year therefore TT and ICHCA have decided to highlight both an Award winner and highly-recommend other in each of four categories. 

These are:

• Use and application of data to create actionable insight
• Learning technology and virtual simulation
• Practical methods of making cargo handling safer
• solutions that help segregate humans and operational machinery

TT’s Managing Director, Loss Prevention Mike Yarwood commented, “Such has been the high standard of entries in the past it has always been difficult to select a single one to receive the Award. As the diversity and quality  of safety innovations continue to be demonstrated across more varied technologies, operational environments and with managerial dimensions, more of these excellent entries deserve greater visibility. Hence our new categorisations to extend the limelight to a greater number of exceptional new ideas.”

While practical operational devices tended to be the focus of invention and improvement when the Awards were first introduced the intervening years have seen technology based solutions proliferate and advanced training and safety awareness programmes become increasingly effective.   

“Above all, we have seen increased emphasis on the critical importance of establishing a distinct safety culture throughout organisations,” pointed out ICHCA’s CEO Richard Steele.  “The advantages of improved safety are self-evident from the standpoint of the workforce but it’s important to remember that a well-run safety-conscious organisation is both efficient and sustainable. Running an organisation successfully and doing safety well require the same visibly felt leadership skills.”

This evolution in the nature of the Innovation in Safety Award is seen as a continuing development of TT and ICHCA’s goal to bring together as wide an audience of like-minded professionals as possible; in order to share experiences of both risks to safety and the successful problem solving innovations they have developed.  Thus encouraging scalability, adoption and adaption across the global cargo handling environment.

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.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. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1200 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 97% 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

The Award is for those who are making a significant difference to safety in cargo transport – NOW.  As of today entries are welcomed for the latest annual TT Club sponsored and ICHCA organized Innovation in Safety Award

London, 2^nd September, 2024

Now more than ever the challenge to everyone in the global freight industry is to drive safety forward.  Developing technologies combined with knowledge and experience at all levels can significantly enhance how we manage very real risks to our people cargoes and services. Risks such as explosion, fire, fall, crush, run over and moving objects require ongoing control in ports and onboard ships.  The better industry gets at this, the better the results for life, limb, cargo and infrastructure, the better the work for workforces and the more sustainable and successful the organisations that we depend on.  The opportunity exists not just to prevent headline grabbing events, but also day-to-day incidents that may be less in the media spotlight but can affect both shore-side workers and ships’ crew.

“The good news is that cargo handlers, carriers and the developers of technological devices and systems of all shapes and sizes are diligently producing innovations to improve risk control,” reports TT Club’s MD Loss Prevention, Mike Yarwood.  “I’m pleased to say that working with ICHCA, our efforts in encouraging such innovation are having a positive effect.  This Award plays a significant role in those efforts.”

The enthusiasm with which the Award has been received over the years is evidenced by the consistent number of inspiring entries each year.  All deserve praise and the calibre of those that either won or were highly commended supports the confidence that both TT and ICHCA have in maintaining the process each year as a positive force for greater safety awareness.

Among past winners and those selected for special recognition are a diverse mix of established cargo handling operators and technology experts applying their specialist knowledge freshly to the sector, among them:

• Cross Currents 88 and G2 Ocean AS
• Royal Haskoning DHV
• Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore
• AP Moller Maersk for its APMT Vessel Inspection App
• Exis Technologies
• Intermodal Telematics
• VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S — HydroPen
• PSA International
• Cargotec Sweden AB

Likewise the safety solutions put forward have been varied: from a netting system to prevent fatal falls in cargo holds to a device for enhancing mooring safety; from a standardized digital platform for terminals to carry out vessel inspections to improvements in the safety and stability of containers on board ships; from a digital temperature alerting system for tank containers to an effective way of fighting onboard container fires and a video analytics solution that helps prevent in-terminal collisions of the heavy cargo handling equipment,

“Our list of previous innovative ideas to increase the safe working of our industry is impressive,” comments Richard Steele, CEO of ICHCA.  “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to spotlight their passion and creativity for not just doing the right things right, but doing them better. Every year we speak to people who have genuinely innovated, but just see it as part of their job. We urge all those who have made positive changes to the way they do safety either for themselves or for others through their products or services to enter this year’s Award.  The most exciting part of the Award is the resultant sharing of knowledge and forward-looking thought that can deliver valuable advancements in safety.  They will make a difference now!”

All entries to the Award are welcomed.  Judging criteria and entry form can be accessed here 

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.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. The Club’s services include specialist underwriting, claims management and risk and loss management advice, supported by a global office network. TT Club’s mission is to make the industry safer, more secure and more sustainable. 

Established in 1968, TT Club currently services more than 1400 Members – container owners, operators, ports, terminals and logistics companies. Its membership covers the entire logistics journey, working across maritime, road, rail, and air ranging from some of the world’s largest logistics operators to smaller, bespoke companies managing similar risks. The Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. Its average annual customer retention rate is consistently over 95%, with some Members having chosen to insure with the Club for over 50 years. 

TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller – an independent and international provider of insurance, professional and investment services.

www.ttclub.com

A full programme of panel sessions and demonstrations of safety equipment and systems will be held across two days of TOC Europe (Tuesday 11^th and Wednesday 12^th June) in Rotterdam. Part of TT Club and ICHCA’s ongoing campaign to promote innovation in safety throughout the cargo handling industry, this is the third Safety Village they have hosted at the annual TOC event.

London, 4^th June 2024

The brainchild of safety conscious international specialist insurer TT Club and the association of cargo handling organisations, ICHCA International, the Safety Village provides an ideal opportunity for industry professionals and technical innovators to come together and share their combined knowledge and experience.  The Village forms a key part of the partners’ year-round campaign that includes the well-established annual Innovation in Safety Award presentation and Digest of entries.  These yearly events are all designed in the interest of advancing safe working conditions and reducing risk throughout the global supply chain.

“In addition to showcasing a number of ground-breaking innovations the Village will play a crucial role in allowing cargo handlers to voice their safety concerns and explain their priorities to technical experts dedicated to developing solutions,” comments Mike Yarwood, TT’s Managing Director of Loss Prevention.  “We encourage anyone and everyone who are safety conscious and visiting TOC next week to participate in the information hub that will be the Safety Village.”

Among the confirmed speakers and panel participants will be equipment manufacturers, terminal operators, safety consultants, insurers and fire protection specialists. The wide range of speakers include Maurizio Pilu, MD of Safetytech Accelerator; Stephan Trauth from Mi-Jack; Tommy Carnebo of Dafo Fire Protection;  Lars Meurling of Bromma and Harry Albana QHSE Manager at CMA CGM’s Trans Misr Terminal in Egypt.  The topics they will be discussing range from ‘Integrating safety into the business strategy’ to ‘Benchmarking safety: What does it mean to be a safe terminal?’ 

“Creating a safe working environment at a port is crucial to the success and long term sustainability of its operations,” comments Richard Steele, CEO of ICHCA.  “Effective health and safety comes from committed senior leadership building trust and engaging with the workforce to empower everyone to be a safety leader.  Creating a shared vision of continuous improvement which is integrated across the overall business strategy is essential. Through our Safety Village sessions we are focusing on the opportunities and ideas that are happening right now, the types of thinking that can support organisations in that ongoing improvement journey.”

The full agenda is detailed on HERE  alongside more information about the Safety Village

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 1200 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 97% 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

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.com

The presentation of the TT Innovation in Safety Award earlier in the year gave industry professionals from across the full spectrum of the cargo handling sector an opportunity to add their voices to the call for continuous  safety improvements, and to sharing experiences of innovative advancements in the cause.#

Not only were the successful innovators of the award’s short-listed entries on hand to present but representatives from several of the twenty-eight companies that entered were present. A lively discussion forum accompanied the presentation ceremony.

As one of the speakers Maurizio Pilu, Managing Director of the Safetytech Accelerator pointed out, the chief aim of those seeking to advance safety must be to bring the technical solution providers together with maritime and supply chain interests. This forum and accompanying seminar provided a perfect occasion for a mutual understanding by these two groups of the challenges faced.

CEO of ICHCA, and organiser of the Award, Richard Steele set the scene, “The advantages of improved safety are self-evident from the standpoint of the workforce but it’s important to remember that a well-run safety-conscious organisation is an efficient and sustainable organisation. Running an organisation successfully and doing safety well require the same visible felt leadership skills.  They are part of the same whole,” he said. “The coming together of a wider audience of like-minded professionals, the sharing of experiences, regarding both risks and successful problem solving, is crucial. At forums such as this you may discover your next leap forward in safety. ”

Jose Andres Gimenez, the Secretary General of the Terminal Industry Committee 4.0 dedicated to the fourth industrial revolution, that of advanced digitalisation, and known as TIC 4.0 reiterated the theme of collaboration and the sharing of experience as a key to successful safety performance.  However, he also pointed out that the belief that innovation only delivers ROI in the long-term is a myth. The pace of technological advancement is, he observed, now so rapid as to deliver practical operational improvement in the short term.

Gimenez also agreed with Pilu that although mechanical innovations make up a significant element of these improvements (as evidenced by several entries into the Award), increasingly, it is the application of data sharing and analysis through the use of AI and other tools, that safety techniques are advancing in leaps and bounds. The entries into the Award make it clear that there is space and appetite for diverse approaches to safety innovation in cargo handling and coordination.  The continuing aim of the Award is to spotlight safety learning and opportunity across the industry.

Also taking part in the forum, and speaking on behalf of the Award sponsor, TT Club, Neil Dalus commented, “The cargo handling industry, for a long time was seen as rather pedestrian in responding to innovative technology, is now undergoing a culture shift and is at a significant stage of embracing and adoption of many aspects of automation. This of course benefits efficiency, is in step with environmental considerations and also has tremendous advantages from the safety perspective.”

Please note:

The full proceedings of the Award presentation and accompanying inter-active seminar can be seen HERE

An Innovation in Safety Award Digest which features details of all the entries into the Award can be downloaded HERE

In the months between the annual award cycle, entrants are invited to various discussion forums, conferences and exhibition appearances, including the TT/ICHCA Safety Village at TOC Europe in June (details HERE).

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.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. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1200 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 97% 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

From a shortlist of three chosen by judges from a total of twenty-eight outstanding entries for this year’s competition, the partnership between Cross Currents 88 and G2 Ocean AS was announced as the winner of the TT Innovation in Safety Award, at a presentation ceremony in London today.  The two highly commended innovations came from Royal Haskoning DHV and Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore.

Independently organised by international cargo handling association ICHCA, the TT Club Innovation in Safety Awards are dedicated to both organisations’ mission to promote and improve safety in all operational aspects of the supply chain.  In encouraging innovation, the Awards are aimed at showcasing products, processes and services that address safety issues, to as wide an audience as possible, in an increasingly complex and challenging industry.

The successful shortlisted entries offered solutions to preventing potentially fatal falls in cargo holds, enhancing mooring safety and improving the safety and stability of containers on board ships.  In a competitive final “Spyder Netting” from Cross Currents 88 and G2 Ocean AS was declared the winner. CEO of ICHCA, Richard Steele said, “Falls from height during cargo operations is a vitally important risk to be managed. Spyder Netting, a thin layer of plastic film which can be rolled out across gaps and secured between layers of cargo, has already saved lives. Cross Currents has been personally thanked by a stevedore whose fall was arrested by the netting.”

At the presentation ceremony, attended by representatives of many of the Award entrants and safety professionals from across the global industry, all three short-listed innovations were revealed in detail.  Cargo handling veteran David Robinson delivered a keynote speech and presented the award to the winners.

The wide-ranging safety challenges tackled by this year’s award entrants fell into four main categories. Both the advantages of using data collection in providing insight into safety improvements and the growth of learning technology in training using virtual simulation featured heavily. In the operational environment, practical products to secure cargo and distance human involvement through automation were put forward.  Finally, segregating machines from people was a primary aim of many. This goal is crucial in improved safety, as the situation causes the second highest amount of severe consequence incidents in cargo operations.   

This, the sixth iteration of these unique and prestigious awards, is part of ICHCA and TT’s jointly held value to encourage innovative solutions to crucial safety challenges. “However, they are just part of our efforts,” said TT’s Mike Yarwood.  “We want to nurture widespread and varied advances in safety innovation, so we seek to give all entrants the oxygen of visibility in the marketplace to help develop and grow their initiative to benefit cargo handling operations globally.”

So, the partners aim to provide a tool kit that helps promote these ground-breaking ideas in a number of ways.  A Digest of all the award entries is available   NOW. In the months between awards cycles, entrants are invited to various discussion forums, conference and exhibition appearances, including the TT/ICHCA Safety Village at TOC Europe in June (details HERE).

All these opportunities seek to enable and act as communications conduits for innovative thinking in safety, the partnership helps link innovators with those looking to invest in safety measures and operators seeking solutions.  Through these efforts, the relevance of the innovative products and services can also be honed to maximum effect, and their place in established safety practices of the future cemented.

About ICHCA International

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.

Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

www.ichca.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. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1200 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 97% 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