During berthing at a port terminal a ship's engines failed. The ship struck a wharf and a crane leg, causing substantial damage. The owners sought to establish that the Member, a port authority, was in some way negligent, and thereby claimed indemnity for the ship's liability to the terminal operator. In particular, since the ship had a history of engine problems, the owners may bring a test case against the Member and the pilot, on the basis that they were aware of these problems and did not make adequate provisions.
With the effective date of 1st July getting ever closer, the need for all involved in the international transport of containers to be prepared for the revised SOLAS Convention regulations on container weighing has recently been once more emphasised by freight transport insurance specialist TT Club.
While not often receiving much publicity, the need for ships in distress to find a safe refuge is all too common. Clearly this is an important area of responsibility in the maritime interface.
The recent action against Qatar by a growing number of countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain on 5th June 2017 is likely to affect a number of TT Club Members as they undertake their normal business operations. The situation appears more likely to affect the TT Club's NVOC, Freight Forwarder, Container line operator and logistics company Members, but Ports and Terminal operator Members could also be impacted in respect of affected cargos passing through their facilities. At this stage it is too early to tell.
It is estimated that 150 quayside container cranes develop a fatigue crack annually, with the potential for a catastrophic failure of a critical structural member. This is revealed in the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) in their latest publication, entitled 'Practical Structural Examination of Container Handling Cranes in Ports and Terminals'.
