Almost 15 years after revision of its transport legislation, Germany has modernised its law carriage by sea. Here is a review by the TT Club of the principle changes and the potential impact to trade and litigation.

The current marine environmental legislation in relation to 'garbage' came into force in January 2013. The ability to comply adequately with these revisions, including its impact on land-based waste management, was reviewed by the relevant IMO sub-committee 13-17 May.

Abuse of Safety Data Sheets for cargo bookings is uncomfortably frequent. A recent TT Club claim relating to a fire onboard a ship highlighted a number of issues.

Customs authorities the world over have a vital role to play in international trade. In different jurisdictions there will be concentration variously on imports and exports, and the responsibilities will represent a balance - amongst other things - between trade facilitation, controls and protections, and revenue collection. Constructive dialogue with authorities is generally a responsible approach.

Warehouse operators, hauliers and other logistics service providers in the UK need to beware of their liability for unpaid Excise Duty. Customs authorities are clamping down and imposing fines on unwitting operators, who are storing or are involved in the movement of goods on which the proper duties have not been paid.

The safety of containers was initially addressed when there were tens of thousands of units. Now, some 45 years later, there are tens of millions in circulation. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been reviewing the processes associated with the Convention for Safe Containers - are you ready for the changes?

On a particularly frosty morning when ice has seized a car door shut we would never consider using a crow bar. Conditions may be more extreme in container operations, but is it reasonable to use mechanical force to open or close container doors? Experience suggests that it is not - and often ends with someone being hurt.

The lithium ion battery fires which have grounded the new Boeing 787 Dreamliners are a salutary warning to all in the supply chain not only about the problems of batteries but all forms of cargoes which have a propensity to self heat given the appropriate conditions. While particular concerns apply to air and sea transport, similar risks apply on land, especially in storage.

Causes of warehouse fires are many and varied. A startling statistic is that up to half of all warehouse fires are started deliberately. Of course, it is not just the warehouses themselves that are destroyed; it is also necessary to consider potential injuries or death and the contents (both stored cargo and handling equipment).

TT Club places high value on its own expertise and those with whom it collaborates, across the insurance and transport industries. This symbiotic approach has proven over the years to be mutually beneficial in fostering supply chain efficiency and safety.

Many container terminals will be familiar with the potential problem of lifting two 20' containers from a ship's hold whilst the spreader is in 40' mode. The TT Club has seen many accidents over the years of this nature and advised operators to consider procedures or technology to assist in their prevention.