A container ship owned by a member caught fire while waiting to enter harbour. The fire, which started in the engine room, spread rapidly to engulf the cargo areas and accommodation, but fortunately the crew (and the ship's dog!) were rescued unharmed. The fire was brought under control by local firefighters and rescue services, but continued to smoulder for several weeks. The member had over 400 containers on board and several items of handling equipment: all were constructive total losses. The Club adjusted the claim and reimbursed the member. There was no possibility of recourse.
This session explores the primary changes under the new trading conditions and will be of interest to stakeholders who trade under RHA trading conditions and businesses who contract with those stakeholders.
Sources suggest that container fires may occur on a weekly basis and statistics indicate there is a major container cargo fire at sea roughly every 60 days. Tackling fires and subsequent investigations are complex activities.
This first webinar in our ship fire series focuses on specific issues relating to the cargo loaded on board, looking into practices to combat non-declaration and mis-declaration, as well as profiling the risk-based stowage approach.
International freight transport and logistics insurer TT Club wants cargo owners to be more aware of safety issues arising from poorly packed containers and misdeclared goods.
