International freight transport insurer TT Club is seeking to draw attention to the life-threatening hazards caused by enclosed and confined spaces prevalent throughout the global supply chain

Read more about how transport and logistics insurer, TT Club, advises on container utilisation

TT Club claims analysis highlights trends in tank container risks.

TT Club looks at how advances could be made in the design of the standardised freight container

When containers are in short supply, supply chain actors may take a more lenient approach to container inspection

TT Club has recently been made aware that shipper interests have been seeking to transport Divinylbenzene (DVB) from China to destinations in both Europe and United States of America, while misdeclaring the commodity as Class 9, UN 3082 ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, N.O.S

Read more about how current container supply imbalance could impact the cargo-worthiness of shipping containers in the international supply chain

UN portable tanks (tank containers) have been used in the international supply chain to distribute bulk cargoes for many years. Having such a deep heritage in the insurance of the maritime containers, naturally TT Club has intimate understanding of the tank container sector, with a current insurable interest in around 53% of the global tank container fleet.

Corrosion is a perennial concern for tank container owners and operators. The stainless steel construction is resistant to staining and corrosion, but may be vulnerable to pitting from certain cargoes or certain cleaning and maintenance operations. Visually minor pitting may conceal development of substantial or even catastrophic corrosion below the surface.

The versatility of the tank container for both transport and storage can give it preference over traditional parcel tankers and drums, influencing how supply chains develop, providing additional efficiencies and flexibility.