Enclosed spaces present risks throughout the global supply chain, ranging from ship holds and passageways through to silos and tank cargo transport units (CTUs).

The Global Liner Shipping Conference to be held over the next two days in Hamburg provides a good opportunity for international freight transport insurer TT Club to continue with its mission to improve the poor safety conditions presently afflicting the shipping of hazardous materials

Albert Einstein is quoted as saying 'information is not knowledge'. The challenge today is to translate all the data points into clear learning that brings improvement.

The recent reports of container ship fires has once more focussed those in the container supply chain on safety issues related to the incorrect processing of dangerous goods.  The nascent Cargo Integrity campaign initiated by the international transport and logistics insurer, TT Club has as a consequence gained renewed impetus. 

Whilst perishable cargo is often valuable freight, it can also give rise to higher exposures, which should provide adequate incentive for extra care to be taken by all stakeholders.

In collaboration with UK P&I Club, TT Club has developed a new StopLoss publication which considers the risk exposures associated with the transport of temperature controlled cargo through the global supply chain and provides guidance as to how to avoid losses.

There are known issues relating to aluminium dross, being an example of waste/recycling streams that are now carried in containers. Not a frequent issue, but another where a 'perfect storm' may expose issues.

This January sees a new Amendment to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code released, Amendment 39-18, entering its transitional year before being mandated from 1 January 2020.

Much can be learnt about the logistics industry - in terms of complexity, practices and expectations - from the 'MSC Flaminia' judgment analysing and establishing the responsibilities in this casualty.

In a global supply chain it is not possible to retain control over every aspect of the transaction.  Hence, it becomes important to carry out due diligence to ensure those to whom you entrust certain elements do so appropriately.

The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) latest meeting of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) takes place in London this week and the international freight insurance specialist, TT Club is calling for more urgent action on issues pertaining to the safety of container transport.

Using the appropriate modal regulations or convention, the shipper/consignor is responsible for correctly classifying any item that is to be transported. In many instances, reliance has to be placed on the manufacturer to provide reliable data so that the carrier is adequately alerted and may respond appropriately in an emergency.