Enhanced Hazcheck Restrictions Portal Launched
Exis Technologies, with the support of leading shipping and freight insurers, TT Club and UK P&I Club, is announcing its next phase of implementation of its Hazcheck Restrictions Portal at the transport industry's Multimodal 2018 event at Birmingham's NEC today*
In order to help reduce incidents caused by undeclared or misdeclared dangerous goods (DG), Exis Technologies' Hazcheck software has been facilitating the operations of a number of major container shipping lines. However, a key element of streamlining is now being offered through the development of a portal integrating port restrictions. This portal is designed to simplify the end-to-end management of DG booking processes, taking account also of carrier, ship and partner line restrictions.
Supported by the two insurance mutuals and developed with the in-house IT expertise of Exis Technologies, the Hazcheck Restrictions Portal is now moving into a new implementation phase. This concentrates on urging container lines, ports and terminals to upload their DG handling policies and restrictions into the portal free of charge, allowing use by shippers, forwarders and others involved in the movement of such goods.
TT Club's Risk Management Director, Peregrine Storrs-Fox commented, "Varying estimates put declared DG at around 10% of all containerised shipments, with the result that some ships will have in excess of a thousand DG containers on any given voyage. As recent incidents of on-board fires have shown, the cocktail of DG can have catastrophic effects. There are numerous issues involved, but the business case to engage with a uniform data process is clear. All supply chain stakeholders benefit from improving clarity for carriage by sea; the most urgent need is for the port/terminal community to commit to upload and maintain the relevant data via the Exis portal."
UK P&I Club's Stuart Edmonston is equally supportive of the Exis initiative synching with both Clubs' missions to improve safety in DG shipping, "We are delighted to collaborate with Exis in promoting the work on this portal. Clearer information on how DG should be correctly handled and shipped is vital in avoiding loss of life and damage to ships and cargo at sea. Our recently published guide 'Book it right and pack it tight' also encourages best practice for packing dangerous goods for carriage by sea.'**
There is a growing awareness among the shipping community that each carrier has been collating its own record of restrictions in relation to house policies, ship owner policies, ship constraints and restrictions applied at ports/terminals of loading, transit, transhipment and discharge. This inconsistent approach is complex, creating possibility for error or failure to update, and pure inefficiency - all in an area that is intended to achieve compliance and safety, but is hugely burdensome and delivers zero competitive advantage.
The Exis Hazcheck Restrictions Portal is aimed at resolving these inefficiencies. Simple comparisons demonstrate that there are material differences in understanding and interpretation about the way that, in particular, port/terminal prohibitions, restrictions and additional requirements operate. Exis Technologies is exhibiting at Multimodal to encourage stakeholders to take advantage of making their own rules and regulations clearer to users of shipping and port services.
*Please visit stand TV6, Tees Valley Pavilion for more information**
ENDS
About Exis Technologies
Exis Technologies, headquartered in Darlington, UK, is the leading supplier of compliance systems for the management of dangerous goods in sea transport. For over 30 years major container shipping lines, ports and shippers have been relying on Hazcheck Systems for regulatory compliance, efficiency and safety in their global operations. 9 of the top 10 container lines are customers. Exis has recently worked with industry partners to develop a new restrictions portal for container lines/ports (Hazcheck Restrictions) and a hazardous goods incidents database (CINSnet).
Exis Technologies also develops e-learning courses. IMDG Code e-learning is a cost-effective training solution for shore side staff that has been implemented by 6 of the top 10 container lines as well as shippers and logistics operations worldwide. Exis also sells CTUpack e-learning courses for the safe handling and packing of cargo transport units (CTUs) and Tank Contaner e-learning for the safe operation of a tank container.
For further information please contact:
Melanie Stephenson
T: +44 (0)1325 466672
E: melanie.stephenson@existec.com
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.
About UK P&I Club
The UK P&I Club is a leading provider of P&I insurance and other services to the international shipping community. Established in 1865 the UK P&I Club insures over 239 million tonnes of owned and chartered shipping through its international offices and claims network. 'A (Stable)' rated by Standard & Poor's with free reserves and hybrid capital of $558m, the UK P&I Club is renowned for its specialist skills and expertise which ensure 'best in class' underwriting, claims handling and loss prevention services.
The UK P&I Club is managed by Thomas Miller, an independent and international insurance, professional and investment services provider.
About 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 including legal services, claims and captive management
• Managing General Agency
