Despite, or perhaps connected with, an historically long run of relatively benign North Atlantic hurricane seasons, most people now accept that climate change is happening. Severe windstorms are being seen in locations they have seldom occurred before. As a result, TT Club is urging ports and terminals globally to establish sound practice systems, procedures and equipment to withstand severe storms.

Following the usual biennial cycle, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code has been updated and amended. This latest version, Amendment 37-14, enters transitional effect from 1 January 2015, meaning that stakeholders may start using the revised provisions. Amendment 37-14 will be mandatorily in force from 1 January 2016. Further information on the IMDG Code can be found

The introduction of the freight container revolutionised the carriage of cargo in the supply chain, permitting large volumes of cargo to be lifted from ships without the need for slings, nets or platforms. But the container brought its own problems that did not at first manifest themselves. The system is fundamentally reliant on the integrity of parts that may not regularly be scrutinised in operation.

Freight containers are remarkably simple in concept - a structure whose strength is fundamentally retained in the framework and the capability of corner fittings to enable a designated gross mass to be lifted or held in place. Some of the components are defined as 'structurally sensitive', while others may be more relevant to the protection of cargo. All require attention to ensure that the supply chain process is successful and safe.

As consumerised societies around the globe rushed to take advantage of discounts on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States it may be appropriate to highlight the recurring issue of shipments that are wrongly released. In view of a spate of mis-delivery incidents, here is a reminder of advice previously provided. It is always preferable for cargo to be released to the correct person, once all amounts due have been settled.

Last week saw the International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee (IMO MSC) finalise work on two measures that are significant for standards of safety in the unit load industry, be it maritime or land-based. International transport insurance provider, TT Club however, believes that while the IMO's recent actions are significant, they are but two stakes that begin to mark out the ground for what needs to done in developing safety throughout the supply chain.

Leading freight transport insurer TT Club reveals detailed results of its claims survey highlighting tank container incidents: contamination accounts for nearly half with damage to tanks adding another third

Leading freight transport insurer TT Club reveals detailed results of its claims survey highlighting tank container incidents: contamination accounts for nearly half with damage to tanks adding another third

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) could be rightly proud that it has navigated through to amend the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) to require verification of container weight and approve the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code). These are important steps to improve the integrity of cargo movement in the maritime mode and throughout the supply chain. As larger container tonnage becomes commonplace, is it time to check lashing and securing?

When building containers, the buyer is fundamentally seeking conformance to a series of requirements, although the focus may be on the detail of the product to be built, rather than defining the measure of quality. According to some experts, quality is a state of mind, which involves preventing errors from entering the manufacturing process, improving them as required and getting it right first time. In the container industry, can we see these basic requirements?

As container manufacture is apparently a boom industry in 2014, it is worthy of some risk analysis to consider whether or by what method those who are commissioning such construction can be confident that all their requirements are being met consistently throughout the production series. While it is difficult to gather empirical evidence, the importance of container integrity is clear.