One aspect of the container weighing debate has concerned the way in which the port and terminal industry will participate. IAPH supported the proposed amendment to SOLAS, while terminals have sometimes seemed less enthusiastic. As the law comes into focus, what are the possible impacts for container terminals?
On 20 September 2013, the IMO Sub-committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) agreed a revision to the SOLAS convention to mandate the verification of gross mass of containers prior to loading on board a ship. The Sub-committee also agreed accompanying guidelines, which cover what have emerged as the difficulties in implementing throughout the industry and the way in which the change can be enforced. This decision marks an important milestone in a debate that has been going on within the industry for many years and at IMO for the last six.
Supply chain management and contracts of carriage are, inevitably, derivations of sale contracts. The interface between the different types of contracts and the parties involved can be critical to keep things moving smoothly and resolve misunderstandings.
The TT Club has confirmed approval of the IATA electronic air waybill and also followed the International Group of P&I Clubs in covering cargo liabilities arising from the carriage of cargo under the two approved electronic trading systems, Bolero and ESS.
On Wednesday September 11th TT Club helped row the circumference of Lake Malawi to raise funds to support the renovation of Africa's oldest floating clinic.
International trade in perishable cargo is a growth area for container carriers, now accounting for over 90% of world maritime reefer transport capacity and making inroads to airfreight as well. As ever, reward can be countered by risk.
It is now approaching two years since safety alerts were raised in connection with reefer containers designed for use with R134a refrigerant which were re-gassed with counterfeit refrigerant. Happily, the TT Club is not aware of more explosions or injuries. There is no reason, however, to be complacent.
Speaking this week at the industry forum, ASEAN Ports and Shipping in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, TT Club's Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Phillip Emmanuel, showed evidence that a very high percentage of the insurer's claims were due to some kind of operational error. The vast majority could have been avoided through good management practice. Emmanuel highlighted the main areas of concentrated risk and presented effective recommendations to minimise these incidents.
