The maritime industry relies heavily on the use of cranes and the wire rope that lifts the load is a crucial single point of failure. Wire rope failure is a key concern for those operating and maintaining the lifting of equipment within the industry.
Laurence Jones marks his retirement in this podcast episode after working with TT for the last 18 years of his career. Listen to his career, what's changed within the industry, his plans for the future and stories of his travels.
The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) secretariat started exploratory and preparatory work on the development of an international instrument on negotiable cargo documents in order to open up opportunities for trade finance and facilitate international trade.
Ballast has been used to maintain stability and seaworthiness of cargo ships dating back to timber-hulled sailing ships and their use of solid ballast. Water as ballast was widely introduced in the use of metal-hulled steam powered ships, where water carried to generate steam could also be used as ballast to trim and maintain stability of the ship. Today’s modern large cargo ships can have a ballast capacity in excess of 5,000m3 or 5,000 tons of water. Unfortunately, this widespread and efficien...
As supply chain operations seek to control risk, managers often turn to personal protective equipment (PPE) as a control measure to reduce the risk of personal injury to operational workers. It is important that employers understand when it is appropriate to require PPE in the workplace and how to choose the correct PPE for the operation.
The management of assets and infrastructure for facilities and equipment is crucial to fulfill obligations. However, it can be costly and complex for ports, terminals, and logistics facilities.
Managing supply chain operations involves many risks to the security and integrity of cargo and worker safety. When crises occur, a prompt and effective response is crucial to mitigate risk.
Whether we are considering safety, security or sustainability, a common, vital theme is the important role of leadership in delivering desirable and consistent outcomes.
Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager, interviews Andre Gerber, a young freight forwarding professional and the 2023 winner of the Young Logistics Professional Global Award. Josh speaks with Andre about his dissertation outlining two freight forwarding challenges he has overcome during his career as a young freight forwarder working in South Africa. Andre speaks passionately working to resolve complex challenges moving a reactor from Italy to South Africa. He highlights the environmental benefits o...
Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager, and Alison Wixley, Senior Claims Executive, discuss practical Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives from a South African perspective. TT Club finds that ESG is an important topic for our members, as investors increasingly value businesses that seek to mitigate the impacts of climate change and make positive contributions to the communities in which they operate.
The maritime industry’s ports, terminals, and ships play a vital role in global trade. However, the sector faces real challenges from aging infrastructure and its ability to accommodate climate change. These challenges have been recognised in the latest revision of the relevant ISO standard on asset management.
Slips, trips and falls continue to be the most common safety-related incidents faced by businesses operating in the supply chain. Because they are so numerous, it can be difficult for businesses to know how to address this risk. Additionally, the consequences of a slip or a trip are often perceived to be less significant than other types of incidents.
There is a certain mystique concerning ‘force majeure’ that seeks to set out the circumstances under which a party to a contract may cease to perform its obligations. An English Supreme Court decision considered reliance on such a clause, adopting a literal interpretation of the words agreed between the parties.
In this insightful interview, Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager, and Neil Dalus, a Risk Assessment Manager, delve into the complexities and challenges of safety and innovation within the global supply chain. They discuss the unique risks and operational challenges faced by ports and warehouses, emphasising the importance of safety measures and the potential consequences of safety lapses. The conversation also highlights the impact of climate change on port operations and the need for innovative...
A highlight in TT Club’s events calendar, June witnessed the return of the Safety Village at TOC Europe in Rotterdam for the third consecutive year. Following the success of earlier events the now established and valued collaboration between TT Club, TOC and ICHCA once again built on the previous year’s success and drew wide attention from a wide range of attendees within the industry.
Freight crime continues to present major challenges for the supply chain industry. Theft of cargo consistently ranks among the top three concerns for TT Club’s members, as evidenced by the Club’s claims data. However, analysis of claims data fails to capture the full scope of the problem, as many incidents of theft fall below policy deductible and are never reported to the Club.
An interesting English court decision where a subcontractor of the bill of lading carrier was able to exercise positive rights against a shipper who had taken proceedings and secured judgment in a jurisdiction other than what was specified in the jurisdiction clause in the bill of lading.
Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager, and Andrea Gentile, Senior Claims Executive, discuss the best course of action following an incident of cargo theft or damage. While we all seek to avoid these sorts of incidents, they do happen, and when they do it is vitally important to report the incident quickly to your insurer, the police and all parties involved to allow for proper investigation. Josh and Andrea also discuss the sorts of issues that might affect your liability according to the CMR Conve...
The misappropriation of shipping containers is a topic that TT Club has raised previously. While there are differing causes for this, sometimes related to issues such as abandoned cargo, the industry continues to grapple with this persistent risk globally. In locations or during periods where there is high demand, shipping containers can prove an attractive and lucrative target for criminals.
When a ship allides with port infrastructure, causing damage to the berth itself or equipment located on it, it is important that the port take prompt steps to protect its interests. From experience, TT Club has develop protocols detailing actions to be taken, which seek to maximise the probability of recovering damage costs.
The importance of contractual risk management, with both suppliers and customers (up and down the chain) should not be underestimated. Understanding commonly problematic contractual clauses and risk exposures is vital for those with commercial responsibility. Without care, a business may be severely exposed financially. External assistance with the review of contracts should be sought where you do not maintain a competent legal department.
While the volumes of containers lost overboard at sea fluctuate year on year, typically influenced by more severe weather conditions, the challenge is a persistent one. Prevention necessarily remains high on the agenda of many stakeholders in the global supply chain; there is a universal interest in precluding such incidents.
With ever increasing focus on the global green house gases emitted into the atmosphere, ports, terminals, warehousing operations and logistics facilities are striving to decarbonise their operations. As one key option, they are often turning to 'green' electricity as a viable energy source to power their activities.
Given their exposed positioning, the risk of he boom of a quay crane colliding with a ship is perennial. The introduction of boom anti-collision electronic sensors for use on quay cranes has undoubtedly mitigated this operational risk. For a variety of reasons however, this type of loss continues to occur far too regularly.
While images of ships, trains and trucks are emblematic of the freight industry, effective management of the supply chain entails many diverse activities. The risks inherent in each supply chain operation are impacted directly and indirectly by an array of roles and activities. One such is the effective management of stockholding and order flow, referred to here as inventory management. Failure to exercise adequate controls can have enormous consequences for security, reputation and contractual ...
Risks to the global supply chain from climate change are inevitably operation dependent and geographically dynamic. In recent years, operations have been impacted by wind microbursts and heavy rainfall, through to droughts and wildfires, all seemingly occurring with increasing frequency, in unexpected locations and with increased ferocity.
As a component of a net zero emissions strategy, many logistics businesses are exploring alternative modes of transport, including less polluting modes such as rail and inland waterways. While different that other modes, security and safety hazards still exist. Thus, proactive risk mitigation to protect against loss, damage and theft is required, particularly during transhipment operations.
Access to safe and clean drinking water to sustain life is one of the most basic human needs; exposure to contaminated water can have serious health implications. Ports play an essential role in the provision of clean drinking water to the maritime industry, contributing to the welfare of the crew and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The phenomenon of defendants facing the prospect of excessively high awards – known as ‘nuclear verdicts’ – against them in litigation, particularly in state courts in the US, appears to be happening with increasing frequency. What can be done to counter them?
Predicted impacts on ports and waterways from climate change present a real risk to local, national and global economies. Disruption is increasingly being seen from extreme weather events, causing damage to infrastructure or equipment, injuries and fatalities. However, account needs to be taken of incremental changes, such as increases in air and water temperatures, rising sea levels and seasonal rainfall intensities.
