Prompted by the recent spate of container ship fires, international freight and logistics insurance provider TT Club has stressed the greater need for all players in the global supply chain to recognise their responsibility for accurate and effective communication between all parties for the transport of dangerous goods.
Four major incidents aboard container ships, two in port and another two at sea within the last four months have prompted TT to reiterate its long-standing fervent message for shippers and those facilitating the supply chain to be more diligent over how their cargoes are classified, packaged, packed, declared and handled.
The list of both explosions and fires extends from Northern Juvenile in the South China Sea in May, to Maersk Frankfurt in the Indian Ocean, to more recent incidents in quick succession, which involved MSC Cape Town III in Colombo and YM Mobility in Ningbo.
“The causes remain under investigation,” says TT’s Peregrine Storrs-Fox. “However, there are strong indications that potentially explosive chemicals and fire accelerators, such as lithium-ion batteries, may be involved in at least two cases. As with historic incidents, it is likely that various errors occurred as the shipments were initiated and the exact nature of the cargoes was communicated to supply chain counterparties, giving rise again to ‘perfect storms’. Every participant in the process needs to act in the best interests of safety at every point in these cargoes’ journeys.”
Of the recent four, unusually two took place while the ship was berthed and shore-side emergency services responded quickly to minimise damage and loss of life – although pollution and potential berth blockage risks emerged. When incidents occur at sea, much more serious consequences can develop, as exemplified by Maersk Frankfurt, where one crewman lost his life.
“The exact number of containers carrying dangerous goods that are shipped annually is difficult to estimate due to mis- and non-declaration. Partly in response to the issues around inaccurate declaration, the IMO amended the ‘Guidelines for the implementation of the inspection programmes for cargo transport units’ in 2022 to urge governments to inspect all types of units, regardless of the declared cargo. The recently released consolidated results, from just eight countries (or 5% of the signatory states), for 2023 evidence continuing safety concerns.
"Although from the minute sample size of about 0.03% of containerised traffic, ‘placarding and marking’ shows some improvement, this deficiency, being the first visual alert for many stakeholders and particularly emergency responders, remains stubbornly above 40%. Further, reports noting deficiencies in stowage and securing (within units) – a core CTU Code issue – indicate a rapidly worsening trend over the last five years and the worst position since reports began in 2001.
“Also of note is the five-year worsening trend relating to errors found in documentation, another key risk indicator. Care of every shipment requires good communication along the supply chain, due diligence undertaken by every player, and a culture of ‘know your customer and operating partner’.”
