TT Club

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

Geneva, 11 July 2024 – FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations and TT Club, the market-leading international freight transport insurer, are excited to unveil this year’s outstanding regional achievers of the Young Logistics Professionals (YLP) Award 2024.

The 2024 regional winners are:

• Region Africa and Middle East: Nompilo Zulu, SAAFF, South Africa
• Region Americas: Rashaad Francisco D’Gama Rose, CIFFA, Canada
• Region Asia-Pacific: Thach Thao Nguyen, VLA, Vietnam
• Region Europe: Laura Cristin Egerer, DSLV, Germany

FIATA and TT Club proudly announce the winners of this year’s Young Logistics Professionals (YLP) Award, congratulating the four regional champions who have showcased exceptional talent and dedication in the logistics industry. This prestigious competition highlights the profound knowledge and honed skills of young professionals, who represent the future of global logistics.

The YLP Award plays a vital role in nurturing and inspiring the next generation of logistics experts. This year’s submissions were particularly noteworthy, with dissertations that delved deep into the complexities of the global supply chain, offering innovative solutions and demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence.

FIATA and TT Club remain steadfast in their commitment to celebrating the dedication and dynamism of young professionals in the logistics sector. The competition provides invaluable experience and exposure, paving the way for these talented individuals to shape the industry’s future positively. This year, we are thrilled to explore the Region Americas, hosting the regional winners at the FIATA World Congress in Panama.

Panama, with its strategic location as a nexus between North and South America, is a pivotal player in global trade and logistics. The FIATA World Congress in Panama offers the regional winners a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the heart of the freight forwarding community. They will gain firsthand insights into the Panamanian logistics industry, enhancing their understanding of global supply chains and exploring new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

By participating in this event, the YLP Award winners will not only further their careers but also contribute to the broader logistics community. FIATA and TT Club are honoured to support these young professionals and eagerly anticipate the innovative contributions they will bring to the industry.

We extend our deepest congratulations to the winners and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the FIATA World Congress in Panama.

About FIATA

FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations is a nongovernmental, membership-based organisation representing freight forwarders in some 150 countries. FIATA’s membership is composed of 113 Associations Members and more than 5,500 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’ www.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. 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

Ivca Kaiserova, Senior Manager EMEA Security & Loss Prevention at Amazon, is the 2024 winner of the ‘Young Supply Chain Resilience Professional of the Year’ Award, co-sponsored by the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region of the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) and TT Club, the independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry.

In its second year, the award aims to recognise the outstanding young talent excelling in the supply chain security industry and help to promote careers in the sector.

Entrants were asked to produce a 1,500word submission on an innovative cargo security or supply chain resilience initiative they have developed or contributed significantly to, including addressing new or emerging security threats to supply chains.

Ivca’s winning entry was based on her work on ‘The Predictive Threat-Based Design’ – a solution using data sources and other external intelligence data to minimise supply chains losses. The tool analyses all absorbed data and, using machine learning, monitors trends to predict which loads and lanes need to be categorised as A, B or C risks. These
respective categories of risks are then matched with a pre-defined security
package.

“The need for resilient supply chains has never been greater and to make this sustainable, our industry needs to attract new talent, recognise their capabilities, and nurture the next generation of leaders. We are living in a world where economic, geopolitical, health and environmental challenges continue to present unprecedented and diverse challenges. We are also working in a world where the risks to cargo security and supply chain resilience are at their highest level for a generation. Through this award, we can identify people who are rising to these challenges and who are contributing to innovative solutions to tackle these risks, which also include the growing threat posed by organised crime groups,” said Thorsten Neumann, President & CEO of TAPA EMEA.

Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager, TT Club, added: “We congratulate Ivca on her great achievement. TT Club is proud to support TAPA EMEA in sponsoring this award. The entries demonstrated a vast array of innovative ideas and methods of ensuring supply chain resilience, all of which are to be commended. For TT, it is vital to celebrate young talent in the industry and we want to make sure that these individuals have the resources and encouragement to innovate, collaborate, and strive for ever greater levels of security throughout the supply chain sector.”

The application process for the 2025 ‘Young Supply Chain Resilience Professional of the Year’ Award will open at the end of Q1 next year.

About TAPA EMEA
TAPA EMEA was formed in 2000 to tackle the multi-billion euro problem of cargo thefts from supply chains. Today, it boasts over 900 member companies in the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region, including many of the world’s biggest manufacturers and logistics service providers as well as leading SME freight forwarding and transport operators, insurers, law enforcement agencies, security service providers, and other stakeholders. TAPA EMEA is working to minimise cargo losses and increase supply chain resilience by helping its member companies top understand and manage risks.

TAPA EMEA achieves this through the development and application of its global supply chain Security Standards, collating and sharing of cargo crime incident intelligence, training, networking and through its support of, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies, governmental and regulatory bodies. For more information go to www.tapaemea.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

TT Club, the specialist liability insurance provider to the international freight and logistics industry, announces three new Members drawn from its membership of insured organisations to its controlling Board.

Rome & London, 27^th June 2024

As a mutual organisation TT Club’s Board, Through Transport Mutual Insurance Association Limited (Bermuda), abbreviated to TTB is made up of representatives of those it insures. The three new non-executive Board Members announced at the TTB’s meeting in Rome this week represent the broad spectrum from freight, logistics, cargo handling and intermodal container operators from around the world.

Nosiphesihle Mbongwa is based in Durban, South Africa and has been CFO of Bidvest Freight for the last six years having previously served the freight management and logistics group for 10 years as its Commercial Director and prior to that a financial director role at one of its subsidiary companies. Her career in the freight industry spans over 20 years with both distribution operations and a container terminal operator. She joins the TTB Board as of 20 June.

Wendy Chien’s appointment dates from March of this year. As Managing Director of Contract Logistics at the Dimerco Express Group in Taipei, Taiwan. She brings experience of a pan Asia-Pacific complete logistics, warehousing and distribution operation which employs multi-modal transport options.

Frans Caljé is CEO of PD Ports centred in Teesside in the Northeast of England. He manages one of the largest ports in the United Kingdom, which is well known for its expertise in port centric logistics, linking berth side handling of all types of cargo with ongoing delivery via the storage and distribution processes involving the use of all modes of transportation. Prior to his appointment as CEO seven years ago, he was MD of Unitised & Port Centric Logistics at the same organisation. He also has experience at container terminal operator APM. His appointment to the Board is effective 20 June.

TT’s CEO Charles Fenton commented on the new appointments to the TTB Board, “Our Board of Directors represents those organisations that we insure. They characterise every type of operator among our membership and come from every region of the world. Indeed, our structure means that every Member can input into the key decisions we make about the types of risk we underwrite and our strategic direction,” he said. “Appointments to the Board are recommended to the membership, who have voting rights, by the Nominations Committee, which seeks to increase gender and ethnic diversity in the Board, mirroring as closely as possible the underlying membership of TT Club. I’m pleased that our commitment to this diversity continues to be represented in TT’s governance.”

As a mutual TT does not have to concentrate on returning a profit for shareholders. Surplus funds fuel reserves that secure support for TT’s insured year after year. In particular, that support comes from TT’s loss prevention and risk management efforts, through investment in research to shine a light on the future of the logistics industry in order to respond to its Members’ needs and challenges. The elected Board of Member Directors plays a crucial role in guiding and overseeing this investment.

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

TT Club, the specialist liability insurance provider to the international freight and logistics industry, claims focus on a much overlooked aspect of supply chain operations can significantly reduce risk. Systemic stockholding, order flow and other inventory management processes need to be effectively controlled. 

London, 28^th May 2024

Utilising analysis of past claims relating to cargo theft within the warehousing and distribution arena in particular, TT has concluded that risks to goods escalate in environments characterised by confusion and disorganisation. Adherence to systematic processes is therefore paramount. Inventory management is so central that it defines the very system by which this effective organisation is maintained.

“A failure to exercise such systematic control can have enormous risk consequences for security, reputation and contractual liabilities,” says TT’s Josh Finch. “Inventory management is an aspect of the supply chain that often runs quietly in the background until something goes wrong. Small issues can quickly turn into large and costly errors if they are not observed and rectified.”

TT acknowledges that data communication and the traceability of goods are key to sound inventory management and the mitigation of errors. The data interfaces between various software systems that are employed to manage the flow of goods including WMS, OMS, TMS and ERP* should ensure that actions taken in one system are recorded in the others.  Breakdowns in communication between systems can be difficult to identify but may lead to costly errors.

In minimising such errors, traceability throughout the supply chain is crucial in uncovering the discrepancies promptly. The ultimate goal is to provide full visibility of goods as they move through the supply chain. A well-designed system should systemically mirror all physical movements of goods and be particularly focused on circumstances where visibility and therefore traceability break down. Most commonly this occurs when a user fails to adhere to the correct process, but operations should also consider where gaps in process lead to a breakdown in traceability.

“Stock that is not traceable is at risk,” explains Finch. “It may be stolen or may simply go missing, making it difficult to determine where the failure has occurred. It is crucial therefore that supply chain operators responsible for managing inventory seek to maximise traceability throughout the entire journey of a particular item of stock.”  The consequences of inadequate inventory management can be severe, extending beyond the cost of cargo loss to risks of negatively impacting commercial relationships. Inventory management plays a key role in fostering a security culture within the supply chain. It should enforce procedures, maintain traceability and respond to discrepancies effectively, resulting in a secure and efficient supply chain operation.

More detailed insight into effective inventory management can be found Here

*WMS – Warehouse Management System

OMS – Order Management System

TMS – Transport Management System

ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning

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 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 demand for organisations across the freight transport spectrum to develop a cogent ESG – Environment, Social, Governance – policy is ever increasing. Leading insurance provider to the sector, TT Club is providing an active toolkit to assist in the development of relevant policies.

London, 23^rd April 2024

In collaboration with its Members, partners and service providers, TT has produced a toolkit to assist those it insures meet the complex demands developing ESG policies present. It provides signposts to strategies and solutions to challenges such as emissions calculation, reduction and reporting.

Commenting on the launch of the toolkit TT’s CEO Charles Fenton says, “The rapid development of ESG principles presents a challenge to many Members, particularly smaller operators. Our ESG toolkit is in line with our commitment to providing our Members, and the sector as a whole with the resources to give insight, educational content and support in navigating a company’s pathway in this complex area.”

“The toolkit will develop over time to build a resource base of success stories of effective ESG strategies from across the cargo handling and supply chain sectors, ” explains TT’s Managing Director Loss Prevention, Mike Yarwood.  “This series of case studies provide building blocks to guide others in designing and embedding ESG policies and will be augmented as our experiences and those of our Members and partners evolve.”

The components of ESG – Environment, Social, Governance – are well recognised, but what is less well known are the varied implications of applying high and developing standards of business practice in each area.    

Support and guidance to help mitigate the environmental impact of operations is a valid start point but knowing what to consider will be starkly different for a freight forwarder, a port or a container terminal. Operations must positively impact local communities wherever possible.  However, transport and logistics companies wield significant influence over numerous social factors. From ensuring fair labour practices to promoting diversity and inclusion and to safeguarding employee well-being. What are the best means of ensuring these goals is a question an operator must answer.

Further, the requirements and benefits of good governance are still evolving alongside the rise of ESG. This predates environmental and social risks as a corporate priority but inconsistent developing demands by both international regulators and national governments means transport operators must keep a watchful eye on variable trends.

In all cases TT believes its ESG toolkit provides current, practical guidance to operators .

*Available via this link ESG toolkit (ttclub.com) for free download

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

In the recently published Annual Cargo Theft Report 2023 TT Club and BSI SCREEN Intelligence pinpoint high inflation as a primary macroeconomic driver of cargo crime patterns. The rise in food and beverages as a stolen commodity is one such indicator.

London, 11 April, 2024

Key findings of the 2023 Report:

• Increase in Food and Beverages (incl. alcohol) stolen from 16% to 24% of global total
• Most common mode remains Road at 71%
• Facilities as a location for theft down from 30% to 23%
• Top countries include Mexico, USA, South Africa, Germany & Italy
• Electronics slightly down at 9% of incidents but still significant in terms of value
• Modus operandi differs by region: examples include ‘Blue light crime’ in South Africa & ‘insider activity’ in Asia

As in the past four years BSI and TT have come together to highlight the global cargo crime trends that were prevalent over the previous year. Their Report is intended to serve as cautionary advice to all concerned with supply chain security and also to provide mitigation recommendations to combat these threats which are likely to persist into the current year.

Tony Pelli is Practice Director at BSI, he gives substance to the extent of these crimes, “Cargo theft is a problem that costs companies tens of billions of dollars each year and can cause significant disruption to important supply chains, from pharmaceutical products to semiconductors,” says Pelli. “Having accurate and up-to-date intelligence is the first step in combatting this problem and pinpointing the locations and types of theft that are most likely to harm global supply chains.”

“In identifying shifting crime patterns in terms of new fraudulent methodologies and a focus on both historic and current geographic risk, we seek to assist operators in tightening their security processes,” further explains TT’s Managing Director Loss Prevention, Mike Yarwood. “In addition to the details of the global trends in commodities stolen and the types of theft we have provided a series of case studies drawing attention to prevalent regional or country specific dangers.”

These include an increase in olive oil thefts in Southern European countries following record poor harvests and a consequent rapid rise in the value of the oil, evidenced by the retail cost recorded on supermarket shelves. Also detailed are crimes in both Europe and the USA that employ various types of fraud, including identity theft, fictious pick-ups and drop-offs and credit fraud.  In South Africa so-called Blue Light gangs, who imitate police in order to stop vehicles are becoming more common. Finally, awareness of corruption among employees and third-party contractors is particularly stressed in Asia, where much evidence exists of ‘insider’ activity leading to cargo theft from warehouse facilities and trucking operations.

In terms of mitigation Yarwood comments, “Our combined experience as insurance provider and supply chain intelligence gatherer is invaluable, not just recording the details of crime but also in recommending practical actions and process design suggestions that will strengthen supply chain organisations in their fight against the threat of theft. These too are itemised in our Report.”

The 2023 Cargo Theft Report is available for download 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 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

About BSI

BSI is the business improvement and standards company that enables organizations to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence, ‘inspiring trust for a more resilient world’. For over a century BSI has driven best practice in organizations around the world. Working with over 77,500 clients across 195 countries, it is a truly global business with skills and experience across all sectors including automotive, aerospace, built environment, food and retail and healthcare. Through its expertise in Standards and Knowledge, Assurance Services, Regulatory Services and Consulting Services, BSI helps clients to improve their performance, grow sustainably, manage risk and ultimately become more resilient.

To learn more, please visit: www.bsigroup.com

About BSI Supply Chain Services and Solutions
BSI Supply Chain Services and Solutions is the leading global provider of supply chain intelligence, global supply chain verification auditing services, audit compliance and risk management software solutions, and advisory services. BSI’s supply chain services and solutions and services can work independently to address specific needs or combined together to gain unparalleled visibility into your global operations. Implementing BSI’s holistic supply chain risk management suite provides organizations with a complete solution for a more sustainable and secure supply chain.

To learn more, please visit www.bsigroup.com/supplychain