TT Club

London, 14^th November 2024

TT Club’s celebrated advocate to the cause of risk mitigation and safety in the freight industry, Peregrine Storrs-Fox has stepped down as the mutual’s Risk Management Director and now takes on a consultancy role to further offer his expertise to TT’s membership and the industry at large.

After 40 years with the international insurance provider during which he started as a Claims Handler and worked up to global Claims Director, Storrs-Fox spent the last 22 years developing and enhancing TT’s now much heralded loss prevention function.  Valued by those insured by TT as a service proven to assist in ongoing operational risk, the loss prevention work initiated and overseen by Peregrine has significantly improved the safety and security of global freight supply chains.

Congratulating Peregrine on his achievements over his long career, TT Club CEO, Kevin King, said “It is impossible to overstate the significant loss prevention initiatives in which Peregrine has taken a leading role. His risk management knowledge is unique, his research meticulous and his communication skills renowned.  Peregrine has been particularly effective in bringing disparate interest groups together to present a united front.”

Tackling the causes of container fires has been one of Peregrine’s more persistent missions; helping all those engaged in the global supply chain to understand and uphold their responsibilities to declare, pack and handle not just hazardous cargoes but also to recognise the potential damage that may be caused by less obviously dangerous materials.

His influential work on VGM (verified gross mass) in the process leading to IMO regulation, and background analysis of required amendments to IMDG and CTU Codes have been critical in advancing safety in the transport industry.  In this Peregrine has demonstrated his ability to combine the efforts of many organisations and companies across the industry to achieve common safety and security goals. 

The success of the Club’s Innovation in Safety Award and its associated promotional programme is a great example of how his commitment has made a real difference in inspiring new technologies and enhanced procedures to improve the safety of crew, shore workers, cargo, infrastructure and the environment.  

“Peregrine will continue to provide his expertise and experience to the industry by fulfilling the role of consultant to TT,” said Mike Yarwood, TT’s MD Loss Prevention in adding his voice to praise Peregrine’s contributions over a long career, “He has dedicated most of his career to TT’s mission to make the global transport and logistics industry safer, more secure, and more sustainable.  I’m delighted that Peregrine is continuing to support our growing loss prevention function.”

His consultancy role began as of 1^st October.

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, more secure, and more sustainable. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1500 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

Steady growth in flexitank usage around the world prompts container owners and specialist insurer to offer safety guidelines to assist shippers, forwarders, carriers and terminals to handle cargo carried in these units with minimal risk. 

Global freight insurance provider, TT Club has issued the latest in its series of Stop Loss publications together with the Container Owners Association (COA).  Focusing on the increasingly popular flexitank unit to ship bulk liquid cargoes, Flexitanks in the supply chain – defining safe operations seeks to identify the applicable risks, highlight good practice and provide practical risk mitigation guidance for those in the supply chain who procure, fit, pack, unpack and handle cargoes being shipped in flexitanks.

It is intended to be consulted and used in conjunction with the IMO/ILO/ UNECE Code of Practice for Packing Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code¹) and the Container Owners Association’s (COA) Flexitank Code of Practice².

In recommending the Stop Loss document, Mike Yarwood TT’s MD Loss Prevention said, “An increasing number of shippers recognise the benefits of shipping their bulk liquid cargoes in flexitanks. The demand continues to grow globally and both TT and the COA consider our publishing of these guidelines timely in order to maintain the safety of the process.”

As in essence a large single use bladder with valves that fits inside a general purpose freight container, the flexitank operates as part of a system which includes the container, its fittings and restraining equipment. While there are advantages to their use in transporting liquids the context of the system as a whole does require additional considerations and risks at various stages of the supply chain. These include cargo compatibility and transit circumstances. 

Various liquids are commonly carried from fruit juices to molasses and from edible oils to pharmaceutical products.  Each commodity has considerations for the material from which the flexitank is made, the nature of valves and pipework, and serious reflection on the potential damage caused should leaks occur.  Multi-modal transits, enabled by the use of containers bring concerns over intermodal terminal awareness of and expertise in flexitank operation as well as the consequences of variable movement and temperature conditions.

The involvement of the COA in the preparation of the Stop Loss has been invaluable in bringing the vast experience of members in the safe operation of these units and the implementation of best practice throughout the supply chain to which both TT and the COA are dedicated.  This Stop Loss is aimed at advancing the cause of improved safety.

Flexitanks in the supply chain – defining safe operations can be downloaded HERE

¹IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) | UNECE

²COA Flexitank Code of Practice V6-O Operators 07.2019

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, more secure, and more sustainable. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1500 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 COA

The Container Owners Association (COA) is an international organization representing the common interests of all owners of freight containers. Its principle aims are to develop standards in order to enhance industry efficiency, to disseminate information through conferences, training and education, to promote the safe of operation of containers and to strengthen environmental awareness. Full Members of the Association include container shipping lines, leasing companies and intermodal operators, while Associate Membership is open to suppliers of a wide range of container equipment, systems and services.

www.containerownersassociation.com

New “Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Charcoal in Containers” have been issued by CINS, with the cooperation of the international Group (IG) of P&I insurance providers and TT Club. The regulatory requirements for transport by sea are outlined and additional precautionary measures proposed.

London, 3rd October 2024

The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS), a safety initiative representing container shipping lines and maritime insurance interests has launched its latest advisory publication, ‘Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Charcoal in Containers’.  It contains the provisions set out in the maritime dangerous goods regulations for the transport of this potentially combustible commodity, which is commonly shipped in volume, explaining these measures and providing additional guidance for all involved in this complex international supply chain.

The packaging, declaration and transport of charcoal must comply with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.  Significant new provisions have been agreed by the IMO (Amendment 42-24) and will come into transitional effect from 1 January 2025 with mandatory compliance required as of 2026. The Amendment means charcoal will no longer benefit from any IMDG code exemption.  The Guidelines however strongly recommend early adoption of the new regulations and explain in detail how compliance may be achieved. 

The CINS Guidelines, prepared and published in conjunction with the IG and international freight and logistics insurer TT Club, states, “It is estimated that global production of charcoal for domestic and export markets is over 50 million tonnes per year¹. From the incident records created by CINS members, it is known that there were at least 68 fire incidents on board ships  between January 2015 and December 2022. Most of these incidents were caused by misdeclared cargo and therefore the carrier was not aware of the hazards presented.”

The practices set out in the document are intended to address safety concerns, recognising that the key driver for change arises from charcoal intended as a fuel for burning.  The guidance also notes that there are other technical types of charcoal, such as used for art materials, which have a different risk profile, urging carriers to establish effective due diligence processes.

In view of the sensitivity of this fuel cargo and history of incidents, the publishers are recommending that it should be treated as dangerous goods, regardless of current or previous regulatory provisions. It is vital to ensure that this cargo is properly prepared, declared and packaged for safe transportation.

To download the Guidelines, click on this link: CINS CHARCOAL GUIDELINES

¹2020 Global Forest Products Facts and Figures of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (https://www.fao.org/ faostat/en/#data/FO)

About CINS — Cargo Incident Notification System

CINS is a shipping line initiative, launched in September 2011, to improve safety in the supply chain, reduce the number of cargo incidents on-board ships and on land, and highlight the risks caused by certain cargoes and/or packing failures. Membership of CINS comprises over 80 percent of the world’s container slot capacity, together with the Members of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

CINS provides analysis of operational information on cargo and container incidents which lead to injury or loss of life, loss or serious damage of assets, environmental concerns. Data relating to any cargo incident on-board a ship is uploaded to the CINS database. The data includes information on cargo type, nature, packaging, weight; journey (load and discharge ports); type of incident and root cause.  The Technical Advisory Committee is a CINS committee that includes Members of CINS and leading professional experts in relevant fields.

About The International Group of P&I Clubs (the International Group)

The International Group is comprised of 12 P&I Clubs that between them provide marine liability cover (protection and indemnity) for approximately 90% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage.

Through the unique International Group structure, the member Clubs, whilst individually competitive, share between them their large loss exposures, and also share their respective knowledge and expertise on matters relating to shipowners’ liabilities and the insurance and reinsurance of such liabilities.

Each Group Club is an independent, not-for-profit mutual insurance association, providing cover for its shipowner and charterer members against third party liabilities arising out of the use and operation of ships. Each Club is owned by its shipowner and charterer members, and its operations and activities are overseen by a board of directors, or committee, elected from the membership. The day-to-day operations of the Clubs are handled by professional managers, either “in-house” or external, who are appointed by and report to their Club board/committee.

The Clubs cover a wide range of liabilities, including loss of life and personal injury to crew, passengers and others on board, cargo loss and damage, pollution by oil and other hazardous substances, wreck removal, collision and damage to property. The Clubs also provide a wide range of services to their members including claims handling, advice on legal issues and loss prevention, and they regularly play a leading role in coordinating the response to, and management of, maritime casualties.

The International Group of P&I Clubs (igpandi.org)

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

Panama City/London, 26 September 2024 – FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, together with TT Club, a leading provider of insurance and risk management services for the international freight transport sector, is excited to announce the Global winner of this year’s Young Logistics Professionals Award (YLP) at the 2024 FIATA World Congress held in Panama City, Panama.

We are delighted to announce Laura Cristin Egerer, the Region Europe Winner nominated by Bundesverband Spedition und Logistik (DSLV), whose remarkable achievements have earned her the title of this year’s global winner. Her dissertation, Reliable Logistics Solutions in an Unreliable Environment, explored the export of an oversized combustion chamber and the import of a dangerous goods sea freight shipment, which she presented in her live session in Panama. Her solution-oriented approach to these complex cargo movements demonstrates both her expertise and innovative thinking.

Turgut Erkeskin, President of FIATA, remarked, “For over twenty years, FIATA and TT Club have been providing valuable training opportunities for the young rising stars of the industry by organising a yearly contest. The competition demonstrates the recognition by FIATA and TT Club of the need to develop skilled human resources in the freight forwarding and logistics sector and to acknowledge young talents. This award is a unique experience for young professionals, allowing them to gain more experience in the industry and connections throughout the competition. Congratulations to Laura and all the finalists for their contributions and for illustrating the bright future of our industry.”

Michael Yarwood, Managing Director Loss Prevention at TT Club, shared: ““The challenges facing the modern logistics sector are varied and complex; perhaps more so than in any other period in the history of global trade. The professionality, initiative and creativity of our talented young logistics practitioners is, we believe critical in maintaining the stability of world trade now and in the future. As TT has always been committed to improving that stability, we support without question the YLP programme and congratulate Laura Cristin Egerer, all the finalists and FIATA for its continued efforts in nurturing young talent.”

The 2024 FIATA World Congress, held in the strategically significant capital city of Panama, placed a spotlight on young talents with a dedicated full day of activities. As a global hub for logistics, Panama plays a central role in connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, making it a fitting location for an event celebrating innovation and youth engagement in the logistics industry. During the YLP day, the four global finalists shared their inspiring stories of dedication and the self-development journey they embarked on to reach this important milestone in their careers. Each winner reflected on the intensive preparation process and the support they received throughout their journey. This year’s Congress featured a YLP Talk Show, where attendees had the unique opportunity to actively participate by voting for their favourite contestant. This event showed FIATA’s and TT Club unwavering commitment to empowering young professionals and fostering the next generation of leaders in logistics.

As the logistics sector continues to evolve, FIATA and TT Club remain dedicated to making this competition more inclusive and encouraging for all young professionals. By fostering innovation and unlocking potential, we are helping to shape an industry where the brightest talents are at the forefront of progress and transformation.

About FIATA

FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation representing freight forwarders in some 150 territories. FIATA’s membership is composed of 113 Associations Members and more than 6,000 Individual Members, overall representing an industry of 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide. Based in Geneva, FIATA is ‘the global voice of freight logistics’.

communications@fiata.org

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, more secure, and more sustainable. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1500 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

Prompted by the recent spate of container ship fires, international freight and logistics insurance provider TT Club has stressed the greater need for all players in the global supply chain to recognise their responsibility for accurate and effective communication between all parties for the transport of dangerous goods.

The occurrence of four major incidents aboard container ships, two in port and another two at sea within the last four months has prompted TT to reiterate its long standing fervent message for shippers and those facilitating the supply chain to be more diligent over how their cargoes are classified, packaged, packed, declared and handled.

The sad list of both explosions and fires extends from ‘Northern Juvenile’ in the South China Sea in May, to ‘Maersk Frankfurt’ in the Indian Ocean to more recent incidents in quick succession, which involved ‘MSC Cape Town III’ in Colombo and ‘YM Mobility’ in Ningbo.  “The causes remain under investigation,” says TT’s Peregrine Storrs-Fox. “However, there are strong indications that potentially explosive chemicals and fire accelerators, such as lithium-ion batteries, may be involved in at least two of the cases.  As with historic incidents, it is likely that various errors occurred as the shipments were initiated and the exact nature of the cargoes was communicated to supply chain counterparties, giving rise again to ‘perfect storms’.  Every participant in the process needs to act in the best interests of safety at every point in these cargoes’ journeys.”

This spike in serious container ship fires is reminiscent of the spate in 2019, although the 30 year average frequency may remain one every 60 days – but any life-threatening event is one too many. Of the recent four, unusually two took place while the ship was berthed and shore-side emergency services responded quickly to minimise damage and loss of life – although pollution and potential berth blockage risks emerged.  When incidents occur at sea much more serious consequences can develop, as exemplified by ‘Maersk Frankfurt’, where one crewman lost his life, the fire burnt for several days and the ship remains with salvors at sea.

The exact number of containers carrying dangerous goods that are shipped annually is difficult to estimate due to mis- and non-declaration. Partly in response to the issues around inaccurate declaration, the IMO amended the ‘Guidelines for the implementation of the inspection programmes for cargo transport units’^[1] in 2022 to urge governments to inspect all types of unit, regardless of the declared cargo. The recently released consolidated results, from just eight countries (or 5% of the signatory states), for 2023 evidence continuing safety concerns.

Although, from the minute sample size of about 0.03% of containerised traffic, ‘placarding and marking’ shows some improvement, this deficiency, being for first visual alert for many stakeholders and particularly emergency responders, remains stubbornly above 40%. Further, reports noting deficiencies in ‘Stowage and Securing’ (within units) – a core CTU Code issue – indicates a rapidly worsening trend over the last five years and the worst position since reports began in 2001. Also of note is the five year worsening trend relating to errors found in documentation, another key risk indicator. Care of every shipment requires good communication along the supply chain, due diligence undertaken by every player and a culture of ‘know your customer and operating partner’.

“In this regard, we applaud the recent statement by China’s Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) that underlined shippers’ responsibilities, in addition to those of the carriers’^[2]. Such warnings and encouragements by regulatory authorities are to be welcomed. However, TT would reiterate the statement that regulations merely set the baseline,” concluded TT’s Storrs-Fox

ENDS

^[1] MSC.1/Circ.1649

² Quote from the MSA statement as per a translation provided by Lloyd’s List.

Shippers are required to take safety measures including proper packaging and temperature control, and promptly notify carriers of correct dangerous goods names, quantities, hazards, emergency temperatures (if needed), and emergency response measures.

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, more secure, and more sustainable. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1500 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

[1] MSC.1/Circ.1649

[2] Quote from the MSA statement as per a translation provided by Lloyd’s List.

Shippers are required to take safety measures including proper packaging and temperature control, and promptly notify carriers of correct dangerous goods names, quantities, hazards, emergency temperatures (if needed), and emergency response measures.

While the volumes of containers lost at sea fluctuates year on year, typically influenced by the more severe of weather conditions, the challenge is persistent.  International freight insurer TT Club stands with the container industry in seeking to preclude these losses.

Understanding the circumstances that lead to stack collapse and losses overboard incidents is of course vital in mitigating the risk. TT applauds the World Shipping Council initiative to publish the details of the annual survey^[1] into container loss and recognises the lowest level of recorded losses during 2023, including the important fact that around 33% of units initially lost are subsequently recovered.

Nevertheless, TT’s own analysis of historic incidents clearly shows that weather is the single most influential factor. Furthermore, the data demonstrate that this is far more complex a challenge, involving a wide range of interconnected operations.

“In this context TT has been involved from conception with the MARIN^[2] TopTier Joint Industry Project,” emphasises TT’s Peregrine Storrs-Fox.  “This on-going project has drawn together over forty industry and governmental stakeholders in identifying and resolving the circumstances that lead to such incidents. It has already delivered important guidance relating to mitigating parametric roll risks and the Club will continue to be involved in the debates, particularly at the IMO, following the finalisation of the research.”

While focus is, not wholly unreasonably, mostly on ship operations, TT has long recognised that all participants in the freight supply chain carry responsibility. When the transport order is initially placed the accuracy of the verified gross mass (VGM) is pivotal, as is the correct load distribution and securing when packing cargo into the container. Consequently, TT’s cargo integrity campaign remains central to its work[, alongside partners in the Cargo Integrity Group].

At the ship/port interface, the terminal operating system (TOS) must support the appropriate stowage on board the ship, alongside stow planning software.  These systems need to plan heavier containers lower in any given deck stack.  Storrs-Fox comments, “TopTier studies have identified discrepancies up to 20% between planned stow versus the actual final stow on board. If representative of all operations, this is itself alarming.”

As to environmental factors, TT’s analyses identified potential commonalities across several incidents.  Wave height was amongst the more obvious attributes, but wave length and period appeared to be of even greater importance. Indeed, it was recognised that wave period is responsible for resonant phenomena, such as parametric roll and synchronous rolling, that can give rise to stow collapses and losses overboard.

Through its Innovation in Safety award, TT has also been searching for developing technological solutions.  The two complementary digital and engineering solutions, both developed by Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore (TVO), apply well-established systems from the offshore industry, firstly to enhance monitoring capabilities, predicting and detecting parametric roll, and secondly fundamentally re-imagine lashing systems to reduce container motion and control the dynamics of container stacks.

Conventional wisdom remains that heavy storms should be avoided where possible to minimise the risk of container loss. Re-routing away from the Red Sea this year has exposed many voyages to extreme weather off southern Africa. Nevertheless, deployment of innovative technology can assist in building greater safety margins, including leveraging data capture to improve understanding and predictions of changing sea conditions.

“Ships will never be able to avoid the impact of heavy seas entirely,” concludes Storrs-Fox.  “Consequently TT, in furtherance of its mission to make the global logistics industry safer, more secure and more sustainable, continues with its efforts on this issue and urges industry colleagues to do likewise.” 

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. 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

[1] https://www.worldshipping.org/news/world-shipping-council-releases-containers-lost-at-sea-report-2024-update

[2] Marine Research Institute Netherlands

Though not a robust deterrent to determined thieves the humble seal plays a central role in identifying location, method and often perpetrators of cargo theft. Freight insurance specialist TT Club argues for greater emphasis on the container seal as part of a stronger security culture across the supply chain

Loss due to theft is among the top three causes of claims received on an annual basis by the international freight and logistics insurance specialist, TT Club. Identification of trends, spikes and hot spots surrounding this aspect of supply chain crime is a primary function of the insurer, as is the issuing of guidance to help mitigate such losses. In the latest of its ongoing series of Security Bulletins, TT focusses on the crucial importance of the container seal, as a fundamental tool in assuring the integrity of global cargo transportation.

Despite the existence of a wide range of security seal types, from basic plastic clips through to the frequently used bolt seals, and now sophisticated  digital options, many in the supply chain are ignoring their benefits in maintaining cargo integrity and promptly identifying theft.

Thieves have devised complex strategies, as well as traditional bolt cutters, to access a container’s cargo undetected.  These include recruiting insiders and manipulating seal numbers, either manually or using 3D printing so almost identical seals can be affixed once the cargo is stolen.

“Whatever sealing regime is employed its effectiveness crucially depends on how the process is managed,” emphasises TT’s Logistics Risk Manager, Josh Finch. “It is important for supply chain managers to be aware of the limitations of the various seal designs but also appreciate that whatever seal type is employed, their efficacy hinges on whether the information from the seal is accurately checked. A security culture must pervade operations at both loading and unloading points, as well as other key handling locations.”

Often personnel at the receiving warehouse view the seal as a nuisance, something that needs to be cut from the doors prior to them opening the container and unpacking it. However, identifying any tampering with the seal can be vital insofar as liability is concerned, helping to pinpoint exactly how the theft occurred, who was involved and where goods were damaged or stolen. “Moreover such knowledge clearly acts as guidance in taking steps to avoid future incidents,” comments Finch.

A vital consideration in expanding the use of seals is that almost all are currently either single-use or have an element that is plastic. Clearly, promoting their widespread usage involves consideration of sustainability, especially as the industry focusses increasingly on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Speaking of this limitation, Finch comments “While there are clearly environmental concerns with many container seal solutions, we cannot ignore the societal implications of allowing cargo theft to thrive in the industry. TT sees innovation in all areas of the transport and logistics industry, and we see great potential in digital seals that increasingly appear on the market.”

Gathered together in this Security Bulletin is TT’s own loss prevention advice together with collaborative work undertaken with other like-minded organisations in this space. From basic descriptions of seal specification, performance characteristics and benefits to new e-seal and tracking technology, and from details of criminals methodologies to guidance on best practice to combat theft, the Bulletin outlines the crucial role seals should play in operators’ security processes and culture. It can be accessed free of charge HERE

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, more secure, and more sustainable. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1500 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

Kevin King has been confirmed as Chief Executive Officer of the specialist transport and logistics insurer TT Club, completing a planned move announced last year.  Acting as Deputy CEO to Charles Fenton over the last year, King and Fenton have worked closely to complete a smooth and efficient transfer of responsibilities. He has officially taken up this position from 1^st August.

Originally based in the United States, King has long held positions within Thomas Miller managed businesses, and transferred to London in 2015 to lead the Europe, Middle East and Africa region at TT.  More recently he served as the insurer’s Chief Operating Officer.

Out-going CEO Charles Fenton, in confirming the move, said, “Kevin is well-positioned to lead TT into a challenging future.  His vast experience of the mutual insurance model, vision in harnessing new technologies and well-honed management skills will ensure TT continues to evolve in step with both global transport developments and a dynamic insurance market.  The TT main board and I have every confidence in his leadership abilities and I welcome him to his new role.”

Fenton himself will remain close to the business.  He has been Chairman of Thomas Miller Holdings since 2021 and will continue as a member of the TT Club Board and in the promotion of the Club internationally.

Kevin King is eager to help guide TT through the next phase of its 56-year history saying, “It has long been a privilege to work for, and now lead, a purpose driven organisation. The Club’s mission to make the global transport and logistics industry safer, more secure and more sustainable guides everything we do. We are well positioned financially, technologically and especially with our established expertise around the world to succeed both as an insurer and a positive force for change in the industry. I am grateful to Charles for his mentoring and leadership over my career, and thankful he will remain close to the business.”

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, more secure, and more sustainable. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1500 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 British International Freight Association (BIFA) used the latest episode in its 2024 webinar series to deliver some key advice on the subject of safety in the container shipping environment.

Keynote speaker at the webinar was Mike Yarwood, managing director of loss prevention at TT Club, a global leader in providing insurance and risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. He was supported by Robert Windsor, BIFA’s member policy & compliance director, with responsibility for advice and information on maritime, road and dangerous goods, BIFA Standard Trading Conditions (STC), as well as legal and insurance matters.

With their extensive expertise, Yarwood and Windsor guided attendees through crucial safety practices in the maritime containerised supply chain.

The webinar covered three key areas, including the proper packing, transport, and unpacking of cargo transport units (CTUs) with attendees gaining insight into best practices to ensure the safe handling of freight containers, an often-overlooked aspect in maritime transport compared to air freight.

Furthermore, in addressing the management of hazardous cargoes, the webinar highlighted the dangers of non-declared and mis-declared hazardous cargoes and attendees gained insights into the initial checking of documentation, methods for identifying non-compliant freight; and some steps for regularising cargoes.

Additionally, understanding the importance of accurately weighing cargo to establish the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of the container was addressed as well as its significance to ensuring safe and compliant shipping practices.

BIFA took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of incorporating its Standard Trading Conditions (STC) into contracts to maximise their protective benefits.

Commenting on the webinar, Windsor said: “There have been several widely reported container fires aboard ships, where containerised cargoes may have been the cause of, or contributed to such fires.

“BIFA believes that consistent, widespread and diligent adherence to the CTU Code by all parties within global CTU supply chains would significantly reduce these types of incidents, some of which have resulted in fatalities and serious injuries amongst ships’ crews and shore-side staff.

“Other occurrences, such as container stack failures, vehicle roll-overs, train derailments, internal cargo collapses and incidents of invasive pest contamination, can also be traced to poor packing practices.

“Through activities like this webinar, we hope to foster a greater awareness of the CTU Code and the packing practices and techniques it contains and help to reduce such incidents.”

Yarwood added: “Raising awareness of the myriad risks that permeate the global supply chain, via webinars such as this, is fundamental in influencing the adoption of better practices that will increase the safety, security and sustainability performance of operators. TT Club is grateful to BIFA for providing the platform and access to an engaged audience”.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Webinar attendees were encouraged to download the following guidance documents to maximise their learning experience:

• IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of CTU Code | UNECE
• Cargo Integrity Group – CTU Code: A Quick Guide | TT Club

About BIFA:

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is the trade association for UK-registered companies engaged in international movement of freight by all modes of transport – air, road, rail, and sea. BIFA represents over 1,650 member companies in the logistics and supply chain management sector. www.bifa.org

About TT Club:

Established in 1968, TT Club is a leading provider of insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry, with a mission to make the industry safer, more secure, and more sustainable through comprehensive loss prevention initiatives and expert advisory services, including specialist underwriting, claims management and risk and loss management advice. www.ttclub.com