TT Club

16 August, 2017

London International Shipping Week takes place between 11^th and 15^th September, during which an event at the IMO will focus on the correct packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs) and the safety issues that result from poor packing and securing practices. ‘Safety in the Intermodal Supply Chain’ will promote the awareness, understanding and implementation of the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)[1]. The event will take place on Tuesday 12 September at 17:30 in the IMO Building, London and will be followed by a networking reception.

The hosts are the same alliance of industry organisations that are committed to promoting safety in the CTU supply chain and successfully supported global compliance efforts in relation to the verified gross mass (VGM) requirements for packed containers. This alliance, Global Shippers Forum (GSF), ICHCA International, TT Club and World Shipping Council (WSC), launched its campaign to address the dangers posed by incorrectly packed and secured cargo in all types of cargo transport units at the European Shipping Week in Brussels in February and is pleased to have the support once more of the IMO.

Held at the IMO during the fourth meeting of its Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 4), this event will be followed by a networking reception, during which the winner of the 2017 BIC Award[2] will be announced. Each year the BIC Award honours an organisation or individual for a significant contribution to the advancement of safety, security or sustainability in container transportation.

Speakers from the four host organisations will present during the event and facilitate discussion on key current topics in which the delegates attending will be encouraged to participate.  Lars Kjaer of the WSC explains, “The event will include a presentation of the current status of our campaign and an opportunity to debate how knowledge and application of the Code can be promoted.”

In highlighting the key timing of the event, Peregrine Storrs-Fox from TT Club states, “The occasion provides a unique opportunity for senior shipping executives to engage with key safety messages and network with the representatives of national governments from around the globe who determine the development and implementation of maritime regulation – all in the setting of the only UN agency based in London.”

“It is now almost three years since the three UN bodies that sponsored the CTU Code approved its content,” comments ICHCA’s Captain Richard Brough OBE. “While a non-mandatory Code of Practice, it is now thoroughly referenced in the IMDG Code.  The entire freight industry must recognise that this detailed guidance may now be seen as representing industry best practice.”

The importance of awareness across the entire supply chain of these dangers is a point emphasised by Chris Welsh MBE of the GSF, “The responsibilities of all those working in the supply chain, shippers, packers, forwarders, warehouse operators and transport providers for all modes and in all countries are clearly set out in the Code. The fundamental responsibilities for the safety of cargo packing and those handling CTUs are determined at the outset, but do not cease when the doors of the trailer or container are closed”, he concludes.

Register your attendance here

ENDS

Notes for Editors

The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) is the world’s leading global trade association representing shippers engaged in international trade moving goods by all modes of transport. Chris Welsh MBE chaired the Expert Working Group charged with drafting IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code). More information is available at: www.globalshippersforum.com

The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, security, sustainability, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and goods movement by all modes and through all phases of national and international supply chains. ICHCA actively participated in the Expert Working Group and debates leading to the approval of the CTU Code. More information is available at:  http://ichca.com

The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. The TT Club participated in the Expert Working Group and debates leading to the approval of the CTU Code. More information is available at: www.ttclub.com.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) represents the global liner shipping industry on regulatory, environmental, safety and security policy issues.  The WSC has observer status at the IMO and was actively involved in the development of the CTU Code. More information is available at: www.worldshipping.org.

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[1] http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/CargoSecuring/Pages/CTU-Code.aspx

[2] www.bic-code.org/about-us/bic-awards

Moscow, 14^th August, 2017:  The Russian start-up freight forwarder, Deliver (www.deliver.ru) is an innovative online cargo transport operation that is among the first in the country to implement an ‘Uber-style’ mode of service. Through its network Deliver aims to achieve greater convenience for its customers and efficiency for a carrier resource base of more than 59,000 drivers.

Such a high volume of sub-contracted transport arrangements, which will require swift and seamless contractual agreements, requires specialist and comprehensive insurance cover. TT Club, a recognised leader in the field of insurance of international transport and logistics operations, with the assistance of its Russian partner Panditrans, has committed to provide coverage and its range of risk management services to the young and fast-growing operator.

The insurer’s contract with Deliver took effect from 1 June 2017, with the aspiration on both sides of a long term relationship. Through its advice on contractual clauses and trading conditions as well as a thorough understanding of the liabilities involved in hiring the volume of sub-contractors for this Uber-style freight service, TT Club gives Deliver the freedom to hone the efficiency of its service. The vast experience of TT Club and Panditrans in the Russian market also provides swift and professional claims service and support.

In addition to assuring the freight forwarder of protection from risk and unsubstantiated claims, allowing the company to attract customers and implement its plans for future development, TT Club also provides insurance guarantees to Deliver which strengthens its reputation with all stakeholders, including the authorities.

TT Club was one of the originators of the insurance for freight forwarders and cargo transport operators in Russia. Through its partner Panditrans it has provided the necessary advice, support and assurance to operators for over more than a quarter of a century, enabling them to develop efficient transport and logistics services, in what has often been a challenging regulatory and commercial environment. In many cases, at the request of the insured, TT Club also conducts seminars for managers and operatives on relevant risk management topics in the field of cargo transportation, as well as reviews of contracts to assess and understand what liabilities are accepted as a result of such agreements.

Notes to Editors:

About TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller.

www.ttclub.com

Panditrans Ltd

Panditrans is one of the first and largest Russian companies specializing in organizing insurance of all types of transport risks.

Established in 1992, Pandi Trans Ltd. has been representing TT Club since 1993 as a leading insurer and a recognized world leader in transport industry insurance.

The company takes part in the assessment of risks and organization of insurance of the most complex transport complexes, organizes effective insurance protection against all risks that accompany the transport process, deals with claims services, organizes surveys and provides legal support. Our clients can be either state port authorities or international logistics companies, as well as small transport enterprises or cargo owners.

www.panditrans.com

London, 18 July 2017

TT Club, leading international freight insurer, is very proud to continue its sponsorship of FIATA’s Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award (YIFFYA), now in its nineteenth year.

FIATA and TT Club duly recognise the succession challenges facing many areas of the global supply chain and therefore the need to invest in the development and education of young logistics professionals. The YIFFYA competition provides opportunities for all candidates, of which there were 17 this year, to demonstrate and develop their knowledge of the industry. The competition remains both challenging and rewarding; each candidate being required  to submit a 6,000 word dissertation outlining a complex import and export shipment in which they have been involved.

Each year four regional finalists are selected and are invited to attend the FIATA World Congress, providing each candidate with invaluable learning and networking opportunities. The overall winner of the International Award will have the opportunity to attend two, one week training sessions with the TT Club at one of its regional headquarters in London, New Jersey or Hong Kong.  The winner also receives a year’s subscription to the industry publication, International Transport Journal (ITJ).

The four regional finalists, selected this year from the 17 young professionals representing their respective national associations which embraced the challenge are:-

Region: Africa/Middle East  :  Tinasche Chiwanza – Zimbabwe (SFAAZ)

Region: Americas  :  Bradley Davis – Canada (CIFFA)

Region: Asia/Pacific  :  Nian Wan – China (CIFA)

Region: Europe  :  Nina Brose – Germany (DSLV)

The entries this year were of a particularly high standard and produced a wide range of dissertation topics. The cargo moves chosen in many cases provided a captivating experience for the nine strong judging panel, making the selection of the four regional finalists extremely tough.

The level of knowledge and the dedication demonstrated by the candidates this year was humbling; the future of these passionate individuals must be embraced to safeguard a bright future for the logistics industry.

The work of the candidates fully demonstrated the complexity of processes carried out within the global supply chain and the required logistics skills to service it.  Cargoes featured in this year’s dissertations included Zoological Animals, Olympic Team Equipment, Agricultural Chemicals, Wine and Raw Tea, all of which exhibit the true diversity of the industry.

The regional finalists will travel to FIATA’s World Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (4^th– 8^th October 2017) in order to present their dissertations to the Steering Committee and be in contention for the overall International Award.

Mike Yarwood, TT Club’s Senior Loss Prevention Executive and Chair of the Award Steering Committee, commented, “From a highly professional and broad array of entries the YIFFYA judging panel have selected a shortlist of four regional finalists.  We greatly appreciate the continued support of the National Associations in submitting candidates to participate in, what we feel is a highly valuable competition. Whilst we celebrate the four finalists, we must congratulate all 17 candidates for their achievements in this year’s competition.”

Entries for the TT Club Innovation in Safety Award are gathering pace.  Now in its second year, TT Club welcomes an extension to the deadline for entries recently announced by the organisers, to 20^th July and calls for more organisations to be acclaimed as safety innovators.

London, 12^th July, 2017

The 2nd TT Club Innovation in Safety Award, which aims to highlight the crucial importance of safety in the cargo handling sector and throughout the supply chain, also has as its goal the recognition of the efforts of so many companies and individuals around the world who are dedicated to ‘making it safe’ every day, and to acknowledge and foster innovation to improve safety in cargo operations and logistics.

The innovations highlighted by entry in the awards will all feature in the official ICHCA award digest after the winners are announced in October, in an effort to publicise the good work being carried out by the industry in the area of safety innovation.

“At TT Club we wish to impress on the transport and logistics industry the ever-increasing need for vigilance in all aspects of operational safety, whether in terminals, at the berth, on board ship or at inland depots and warehouses or any other part of the supply chain.  While many lessons are learned, substantial risks to life, environment and assets remain to be mitigated,” comments TT Club’s Risk Management Director, Peregrine Storrs-Fox.

It is within this global environment that TT Club encourages renewed focus on safety measures that will reduce the many factors that too often result in injury and in some cases fatalities, as well impact on the environment or the destruction of value in cargo or assets.

TT Club together with ICHCA commend these safety awards to those striving to improve safety records and urge organisations committed to enter their products, services or initiatives. In particular, the awards provide an important opportunity to share good ideas and good practice in relation to safety with peers around the globe.

The Award is open to anyone – an individual, team or company – involved in cargo logistics.  Entrants are required to show that a product, idea, solution, process, scheme or other innovation has resulted in a demonstrable improvement to safety.

The new deadline for entries is Thursday 20^th July and full details of the entry process and judging criteria can be found here.

The 2017 award ceremony takes place on Tuesday 3 October at the Hotel Santa Catalina in Las Palmas after day 1 of ICHCA International’s 65th Anniversary Conference and is a principal part of the evening’s awards programme.

Leading international freight transport insurer, TT Club is ensuring that its Members utilising the burgeoning Asia-Europe rail corridor for container traffic are adequately protected regarding liability exposures.

London, Hong Kong & Shanghai, 29 June 2017

Chinese Government investment in its ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy is considerable, aiming at developing trade via the overland route linking China and intervening regions to Europe, also sometimes referred to as the Silk Road.  Part of this investment has encouraged container freight, both east and westbound onto the rail services to and from fifteen European cities and multiple Chinese locations.

TT Club has been focused upon the growing Transport Operator and Logistics sector of the Asia Pacific region, and in particular on  mainland China for some time.  One of a number of initiatives the insurer has taken in order to provide effective support for this growth is to draw up robust trading conditions for multimodal transits offered by its Members.

“TT Club has throughout its near fifty year history been dedicated to facilitating container moves via all modes,” says Asia Pacific Regional Director Phillip Emmanuel.  “We are therefore well-placed by reason of our experience and network coverage to offer relevant insurance products and service for the rapidly expanding rail oriented Asia-Europe trade.”

Depending on the start/finish points, the 9-12,000 kilometre rail journey can take between 12 and 18 days; some thirty-five trains a week on average ran last year and carried over 150,000TEU.  Estimates based on the currently committed investment levels would see nearly half a million TEU moved on over 5,000 trains in three years’ time.  It is clear that TT Club logistics and forwarding Members are going to have an increasing requirement for the seamless multimodal cover and service provided.

True to its mutual heritage the Club also offers a variety of advisory facilities to additionally assist such transport operators.  An example is an International Freight Forwarding Agency Agreement developed to support Asian Members in making contracts with their customers. The agreement, offered in both English and Mandarin, stipulates the services to be performed by the operator, the liability regime in place and the responsibilities of the cargo interest.

In its latest initiative, TT Club has drafted trading conditions for use when moving freight by rail between China and Europe. These conditions aim to offer a contractual framework to meet the requirements of the ever growing trade flowing from the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, reviving and developing the historic overland trade links. The Rail Consignment Note is a bilingual document in English and Mandarin addressing these requirements of moving freight across two continents and through multiple jurisdictions, where a number of legal regimes may be in force. The contractual terms (in English) on the reverse side of the Rail Consignment Note regulate the operator’s liability during the transit, with a Mandarin copy of these conditions available to supplement understanding.

“This work was developed in response to a specific request from one of our Members based in Hong Kong with extensive operations in mainland China,” explains Emmanuel. “And delivered to the market by using our expertise based in Shanghai, Hong Kong & London, this initiative is just one example of TT Club’s customer-focussed service mentality and our responsiveness to market trends – in this case the rapid growth of rail-based inter-continental trade.”

ENDS

About TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.  TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller.

www.ttclub.com

TT Club, the leading international transport and logistics insurance provider, today announces its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2016, and AM Best affirms its A- (Excellent) rating for the 11^th consecutive year

Highlights:

• $177.8 million gross earned premiums (2015: $172.0 million)
• $5.2 million surplus (2015: $4.8 million)
• Total assets of $613.0 million (2015: $618.1 million)
• Total surplus and reserves $185.8 million (2015: $178.1 million)
• AM Best affirms financial strength rating  as  A- (Excellent)
• 2016 financial year combined ratio of 95.3% (2015: 94.4%)

In his inaugural report since taking over from Knud Pontoppidan in July 2016, new Chairman of TT Club Ulrich Kranich, said: “2016 will be a year that many of us remember for some time. The theme of recent years of an increasing number of factors causing instability around the world has continued, and shows little sign of abating. Set in this context, the stability in the Club’s performance is extremely welcome.”

“The Club retained its A- (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best for the 11^th successive year and maintaining this rating is one of our main objectives. Financial performance was in line with the Board’s business plan and the financial year combined ratio – the main measure of operating performance – was within its target risk appetite. As a mutual, the Club’s finances are managed to produce a small surplus and to achieve this was therefore an entirely satisfactory result.”

“2016 was a good year for new business for the Club and as its Member retention rate continued at the very high levels of recent years, premium income was managed to satisfactory levels. Attritional claims in 2016 were as expected, however, and positively contrasted to 2015, large claims in 2016 were just below the long-term trend level. The main claim event in 2016 was the demise of Hanjin Shipping which led to claims on the Club from transport operators and container lessors.”

“Overall, the Club’s surplus and reserves grew by US$ 5 million in the year. Regulatory and solvency capital remained very strong in the year and is forecast to continue as such in 2017, and accordingly it is expected the Club will maintain its AM Best A- rating in 2017.”

Charles Fenton, Chief Executive of TT Club, added: “In enduringly trying economic circumstances, TT Club continues to perform strongly and retain its financially strong position and maintain its AM Best Excellent A- rating. As we continue to work towards keeping insurance costs down, we remain committed to working with members and brokers to maintain our loss prevention and service levels to sustain our position as (one of) the world’s leading provider(s) of international transport and logistics insurance.”

Mr Kranich also made a warm tribute to Mr Pontoppidan’s leadership of the Club which has significantly strengthened and as a result has been able to cope very well with difficult market conditions in both the insurance and global transport markets.

The TT Club’s 2016 Annual Report and Financial Highlights can be downloaded by clicking here

– Ends  –

Notes to editors

TT Club 

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

Thomas Miller

Thomas Miller is an independent and international provider of insurance, professional and investment services.

Founded in 1885, Thomas Miller’s origins are in the provision of management services to mutual organisations, particularly in the international transport and professional indemnity sectors; where today they manage a large percentage of the foremost insurance mutuals. Thomas Miller also manages insurance facilities for all the self employed barristers in England & Wales, as well as trustees of pension schemes, patent agents and housing associations.

Principal activities include:

• Management services for transport and professional indemnity insurance mutuals
• Investment management for institutions and private clients
• Professional services
• Building defects insurance

www.thomasmiller.com

ICHCA International has opened the 2nd TT Club Innovation in Safety Award and invites submissions from anyone involved in cargo logistics who can show a demonstrable improvement to safety

12.04.2017 – ICHCA International, the global cargo handling NGO association, has opened the 2nd TT Club Innovation in Safety Award which aims to highlight the importance of safety at a time of increased operational demands on cargo handling infrastructure and operations worldwide. The goal of the Award is equally to champion and celebrate the many companies and individuals around the world who are 100% dedicated to ‘making it safe’ every day, and to acknowledge and foster innovation to improve safety in cargo operations and logistics.

The inaugural Award was won last year by APMT Buenos Aires for its mobile port equipment ‘Safety Logging System’. This innovation produced measurable proven results in incident reduction and behavioural responses from the workforce. Entries for the 2016 award were numerous and varied, and the judges were pleased also to award a ‘Highly Commended’ prize to Andrew Ryan, as nominated by Asciano in Australia, for the simple concept of the ‘Ryan Key’. This tool enables semi-automatic twist locks that have partially failed or been incorrectly installed to be ‘locked’ open, eliminating the need for operatives to remain in the danger zone to hold them whilst the container is discharged. The full report from the 2016 Award, including details of all entries submitted, has recently been published and is available to download for free here.

Both ICHCA International and TT Club have a fundamental commitment to risk reduction throughout the supply chain and, in particular, to safety within cargo handling operations. Promoting such safety advice is paramount to the philosophy of the two organisations and the Award reflects this commitment.

In announcing the opening of the Award entry process for 2017, TT Club Risk Management Director Peregrine Storrs-Fox said, “TT Club has always emphasised the critical nature of loss prevention in its role as a primary supplier of liability and property insurance to those in the supply chain industry.  As such, we remain dedicated to encouraging safety awareness and applaud ICHCA’s initiative in offering this prestigious award.  TT Club has worked closely with ICHCA for a number of years, producing safety advisory documents and urging sound operational practice wherever and whenever possible. We look forward to celebrating the wealth of safety innovation that will once more be encouraged by this Award.”

The Award is open to anyone – an individual, team or company – involved in cargo logistics.  Entrants are required to show that a product, idea, solution, process, scheme or other innovation has resulted in a demonstrable improvement to safety.

The deadline for entries is Thursday 29 June 2017 and full details of the entry process and judging criteria can be found here.

The 2017 award ceremony takes place on Tuesday 3 October at the Hotel Santa Catalina in Las Palmas after day 1 of ICHCA International’s 65th Anniversary Conference and is a principal part of the evening’s awards programme. The anniversary conference will be looking towards the future of cargo handling through 5 key sessions on how to make the global cargo chain SAFE, SUSTAINABLE, SECURE, SMART and SKILLED. ICHCA’s flagship event promises to bring together the big names in cargo handling to discuss the best ways to improve as an industry. Tickets are reduced by 25% for those who book before 31 May here.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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 ISP 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 ICHCA Canarias/Africa (CARC) – 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 | www.ichca-australia.com

Follow us on Twitter @ICHCA2

Follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/ichca-international

About TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller.

www.ttclub.com

IMO Secretary General and European Commission officials were present at the launch of a CTU Code Compliance Campaign in Brussels. During a seminar, communication of best practice in packing and securing cargo and compliance across all modes was urged.

Held in Brussels as part of European Shipping Week, the high-powered seminar on Safety in the Intermodal Supply Chain was a collaboration by the shipper’s representatives Global Shippers Forum (GSF); cargo handling operators body ICHCA; freight transport insurance specialist TT Club and container carriers association World Shipping Council (WSC) and was attended by IMO and EC regulators, road and rail industry representatives as well as those from shippers, lines, port and terminals.

In introducing the discussions TT Club’s Risk Management Director, Peregrine Storrs-Fox emphasised the serious consequences resulting from badly packaged, eccentrically loaded and wrongly handled material, whether of a regulated dangerous or seemingly benign nature. These accidents range from over-turned road trailers, train derailments, crane failures, ship fires to container stack collapses.

“Stringent efforts by our group and many others to address, in part, these issues resulted last year in an amendment to the maritime safety convention, SOLAS making mandatory the weighing of every packaged container. Despite there being 166 signatory nations to this convention, evidence so far is that this legal requirement has made little impact on the problem of mis-declaration of the gross mass of packed containers. Where regulation fails, industry must come together to act in the interests of safety,” said Storrs-Fox.

Making a rare personal plea for attention to such a focussed issue, Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the UN’s International Maritime Organization applauded the partners’ initiative, “I have no hesitation in commending the use of the CTU Code[1],” he said. “I would like to thank UNECE and ILO[2], as well as the four bodies organising this event for providing valuable technical and editorial input during the development of the Code. I’m also very pleased to be able to support this seminar which is aimed at raising awareness of the Code and promoting its use.”

Although it was emphasised that the European Commission has no legislation covering what is predominantly an international multimodal issue, Magda Kopczyncka, Director of Waterborne Transport at DG Move took an active role in the Seminar and expressed the Commission’s support for the campaign. She noted that a lot of work remained to be done both in simplifying the existing CTU Code’s language and in communicating its sound messages to all, especially those packing the units at the cargo’s point of origin.

In addition to presentations from representatives of the four sponsoring bodies, speakers from both the rail (Community of European Railways – CER) and road (International Road Transport Union – IRU) sectors pledged support for use of the CTU Code as the carriage of multimodal units is a crucial part of their members’ operations. Dovetailing of standards and cross fertilisation of best practice would be investigated wherever possible.

During the seminar, reference was made to the relative lack of national government engagement with the IMO’s container inspection standard (as set out in MSC.1/Circ.1442). While the focus of these inspections is primarily on declared dangerous goods movements, a very limited number of government agencies provide reports on their findings. Even so, the reports are disturbing – over the last decade approaching a third of the units are reported to be poorly packed. As this analysis covers declared dangerous cargoes only, it might be assumed that a significantly greater number of poorly packed units containing other cargoes must exist, presenting daily danger around the globe.

Commenting on the need for a greater degree of industry awareness of the issues and the guidance contained in the Code, TT Club’s Storrs-Fox said, “We recently carried out an awareness survey that has produced some telling results. Of the 6,000 recipients of our emails some 25% showed enough interest to open the message, but of these less than 5% completed the questionnaire. These figures in themselves show a lack of concern regarding packing and, additionally 44% of those that did respond felt the Code was insufficient to tackle the safety issues. We clearly have much work to do.”

The consensus at the seminar clearly confirmed collaboration can strengthen a workable safety environment, with industry bodies, unions and regulators all contributing. However there is a very obvious need to communicate the existing guidance and have it used in practice. The next step must be to deliver the Code, or essential elements of it, to the workforce which carries out the function of packing cargo. The sponsors are committed to do this through whatever means are available including the use of new technologies as well as traditional communication and training networks.

ENDS

[1] http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/CargoSecuring/Pages/CTU-Code.aspx

[2] the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO)

Notes to editors

About TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller

7 February, 2017

European Shipping Week will take place in Brussels from 27 February to 2 March[1] and there delegates will  focus on the correct packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs) and the safety issues that result from poor work practices.  The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Kitack Lim, and Magda Kopczynska  from the European Commission’s DG MOVE, which is the directorate responsible for freight transport safety within the EU, will join industry leaders to speak at a seminar on Monday 27 February[2]. The seminar has been arranged by the same alliance of industry organisations that successfully brought compliance with the verified container gross mass requirements to the forefront: shipper association the Global Shippers Forum (GSF); the cargo handling group ICHCA; international freight insurer TT Club and liner shipping organisation World Shipping Council (WSC).

An analysis of TT Club’s insurance claims records suggests that 65% of damages to cargo result from poorly packed, blocked or secured cargo in CTUs, particularly freight containers. “Yet this points to only a fraction of the extent of a significant safety problem surrounding poor packing” states TT Club’s Risk Management Director, Peregrine Storrs-Fox. “TT Club, along with our fellow industry representatives are concerned that preventable incidents, both on land (road and rail) and at sea, arise from badly packed CTUs.  The safety of workers, particularly those unloading units at destination, is also at considerable risk.  Safe industry packing and securing guidance must be disseminated and followed.”

The seminar, entitled, ‘Safety in the Intermodal Supply Chain: Promoting IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code)’ will endeavour to raise the profile of the issues. “It is now over two years since the three UN bodies that sponsored the CTU Code approved its content,” comments ICHCA’s Captain Richard Brough OBE. “While a non-mandatory Code of Practice, it is now thoroughly referenced in the IMDG Code.  The entire freight industry must recognise that this detailed guidance may now be seen as representing industry best practice.”

The importance of awareness across the entire supply chain of these dangers is a point emphasised by Chris Welsh MBE, Secretary General of GSF, “The responsibility of all those working in the supply chain, shippers, packers, forwarders, warehouse operators and transport providers of all modes and in all countries is clearly set out in the Code. This responsibility for the safety of cargo loads and those handling them does not cease when the doors of the trailer or container are closed”, he emphasises.

The quartet of seminar sponsors is completed by the participation of the ocean carriers’ organisation, WSC.  Its Senior Vice President, Lars Kjaer is keen to highlight the senior level of speakers that have committed to attend the Seminar, “The IMO’s Secretary-General, Kitack Lim has demonstrated his commitment to improving safety in global transport and we are delighted that he is adding weight to our efforts to promote the CTU Code and associated initiatives.  In addition to industry leaders, we will also have the key involvement of DG MOVE, whose role in encouraging the Member States to promote the Code and a safety culture and best practices will be important for enhancing safety in the supply chain,” he concludes.

ENDS

[1] https://www.europeanshippingweek.com

2 https://www.europeanshippingweek.com/event/wsc-safety-in-the-intermodal-supply-chain-promoting-the-imoilounece-code-of-practice-for-the-safe-packing-of-cargo-transport

Notes for Editors

The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) is the world’s leading global trade association representing shippers engaged in international trade moving goods by all modes of transport. Chris Welsh MBE chaired the Expert Working Group charged with drafting IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code). More information is available at: www.globalshippersforum.com

The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, security, sustainability, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and goods movement by all modes and through all phases of national and international supply chains. ICHCA actively participated in the Expert Working Group and debates leading to the approval of the CTU Code. More information is available at:  http://ichca.com

The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. The TT Club participated in the Expert Working Group and debates leading to the approval of the CTU Code. More information is available at: www.ttclub.com.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) represents the global liner shipping industry on regulatory, environmental, safety and security policy issues.  The WSC has observer status at the IMO and was actively involved in the development of the CTU Code. More information is available at: www.worldshipping.org.

[1] https://www.europeanshippingweek.com

[2] https://www.europeanshippingweek.com/event/wsc-safety-in-the-intermodal-supply-chain-promoting-the-imoilounece-code-of-practice-for-the-safe-packing-of-cargo-transport

London, 17 January 2017

As part of its on-going campaign to improve standards of the safe packing of unit loads, including shipping containers, specialist freight transport insurer, TT Club has issued specific guidelines on packing and securing coiled materials in containers. In general, investigations into incidents along the international supply chain – whether on roads, rail, inland waterway or at sea – can often be attributed to poor practices in the packing of cargo transport units (CTUs) and coiled materials are a particular hazard.

As a leading insurer of international container transport TT Club has dealt with many incidents where coils, mostly of steel, have been improperly packed and insufficiently secured in the container, leading to the cargo shifting inside the unit and usually breaking out, resulting in injuries or damage to property.  The packing process is critical given the forces exerted on the freight during a typical journey, such as braking or turning of a road vehicle, variable handling techniques at port terminals and significant, sometimes violent motions of a ship at sea.  The consequences of these types of forces on poorly packed cargo will, of course, vary from over-turned trucks, to train derailment and damaged cranes to containers lost overboard and damage to the ship.  Coils have even been known to break through the floor of a carrying unit and escaped into traffic. In short, improperly secured coil materials can have significant and fatal consequences.

“Such experiences led us to collaborate with the CINS Organisation  – a significant safety-based initiative set up by major container shipping lines,” explains TT Club’s Peregrine Storrs-Fox, “In order to update and expand our earlier ‘Stop Loss’ briefing guide, which addressed carriage of metal coils.”

The freely available revised guidelines, ‘Transport of Coiled Materials in Containers’[1], focus attention on how a container packer can understand the risks involved through the supply chain in order to ensure that the coils are packed and secured successfully. Equally, while recognising that there are a number of proprietary solutions available, these guidelines specifically support less sophisticated operations reliant primarily on timber for load distribution and bracing, where the greatest risk exposure has been seen.

“A convergence of interests between TT Club and maritime carriers involved in the CINS Organisation in relation to incidents involving coiled materials has led to this collaboration and we are keen to extend the knowledge it contains, as well as engender further training of cargo packers throughout the global shipper and forwarder community,” comments Patrick Hicks, CINS General Secretary.

Nor do the pleas of TT Club and CINS relating to proper cargo packing end with coiled materials.  Both organisations are anxious to promote adherence to the CTU Code. General concerns about packing failures led to the development of the CTU Code[2] (‘IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units’), a publication sponsored by the three relevant UN agencies, being the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Despite all the available information, it is inevitable that specific good practice will develop in relation to certain cargo types. The transport of coiled materials falls into such a category. This particular initiative displays how the CTU Code can be applied in practice. The nature of the international supply chain is such that there are many instances where packers may require additional guidance for the specific cargo that is to be packed in a container, a trailer or a railcar.

TT Club is planning a seminar[3], together with Global Shippers Forum, ICHCA and World Shipping Council, at the outset of the European Shipping Week in Brussels at the end of February, to give prominence internationally and within individual jurisdictions to the CTU Code.

ENDS

[1] The ‘Transport of Coiled Materials in Containers’ guidelines are available on www.ttclub.com/loss-prevention/publications/stop-loss/article/stop-loss-13-carriage-of-metal-coils-608/

2  http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/CargoSecuring/Pages/CTU-Code.aspx

3  https://www.europeanshippingweek.com/event/wsc-safety-in-the-intermodal-supply-chain-promoting-the-imoilounece-code-of-practice-for-the-safe-packing-of-cargo-transport/

Notes to editors

TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry’s leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club’s membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

TT Club is managed by Thomas Miller

www.ttclub.com

Thomas Miller

Thomas Miller is an independent and international provider of insurance, professional and investment services.

Founded in 1885, Thomas Miller’s origins are in the provision of management services to mutual organisations, particularly in the international transport and professional indemnity sectors; where today they manage a large percentage of the foremost insurance mutuals. Thomas Miller also manages insurance facilities for all the self- employed barristers in England & Wales, as well as trustees of pension schemes, patent agents and housing associations.

Principal activities include:

• Management services for transport and professional indemnity insurance mutuals
• Investment management for institutions and private clients
• Professional services
• Managing general agents

www.thomasmiller.com