An increase in both the sophistication and frequency of cargo thefts in 2013 has been highlighted in statistics released by TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association). Interestingly - and in line with general expectation - the average value of reported cargo thefts continues to rise globally, notably in excess of US$300,000 in the EMEA region. This would suggest that the trend of highly targeted efforts by organised criminals continues, systematically identifying higher value cargoes. Unsurprisingly, the results in 2014 continue on the upward trend.

Leading freight transport insurer, TT Club, has announced its support for a unique learning initiative - Business on the Move. The educational tool takes the form of a board game which is designed to be played at varying levels of complexity. Consequently, it is suitable for primary and secondary school children as well as higher education students, management trainees and corporate continuous development schemes. TT Club sees the initiative as an imaginative means to educate and inspire young people in the UK, motivating an interest in and comprehension of modern supply chains and the transport resources that service them.

Proposals put forward by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), aimed at improving the prevention of food safety problems through the food supply chain within the US, could have significant ramifications for operations within the transport and logistics industry, including those initiating a move into the US from elsewhere in the world. The time period for submission of written or electronic comments has been extended to 31 July 2014.

On Monday, 26 May 2014 three crewmen on board a general cargo ship were killed after entering the ship's hold. The ship was carrying a seemingly harmless cargo of sawn timber. During the passage the oxygen in the hold had been significantly depleted. This is a stark reminder of the need for thorough risk assessment, vigilance and, arguably, personal oxygen meters.

Speaking at TOC Europe's Container Supply Chain Conference in London, freight insurance specialist TT Club's Mike Yarwood has warned of the increasing dangers posed by 'cyber-criminals' targeting carriers, ports, terminals and other transport operators. Examples of computer hacking affecting organisations, companies and individuals are numerous. Data and information used to focus on high value cargo and susceptible loads.

In a speech given to the Trans Middle East Conference in Qatar in May, Andrew Kemp, Regional Director EMEA of the freight transport insurance specialist TT Club, called for operators to do more to minimise the causes of incidents resulting in bodily injury, cargo and property damage

In a speech given yesterday at the ASEAN Ports & Shipping Conference in Jakarta, Phillip Emmanuel, Regional Director Asia-Pacific of the freight transport insurance specialist TT Club, called for operators to do more to minimise preventable accidents that result in bodily injury, cargo and property damage

For the unit load industry, the IMO's twin approval of amendments to Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) for the verification of gross mass of containers and the IMO/ILO/UNECE* Code of Practice for packing cargo transport units (CTU Code) are welcome and important; the next mountaintop is now in sight.

At the recent Multimodal event in Birmingham, UK, an interesting round table discussion entitled 'Correct packing and accurate weighing - towards safer container transport' considered the amendments to SOLAS concerning the mandatory supply of the verified gross mass of containers and the impact of the introduction of the IMO/ILO/UNECE* Code of Practice for packing cargo transport units (CTU Code).

The TT Club, the leading international transport, freight and logistics insurance provider, has appointed Robert Kempkens as claims director. Based in London, he will be responsible for overseeing global claims handling for the TT Club.

The TT Club, the leading international transport and logistics insurance provider, today announces its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2013, maintaining its A- (Excellent) rating by agency AM Best for the 8th consecutive year.