Marine
Risk training and consultancy
Norwich Union Risk Services is the specialist division of Norwich Union, dedicated to minimising risk for businesses and offers training and consultancy services on a range of health and safety and environmental issues.
Our aim is to work with you and your clients providing you with the skills and knowledge to understand your risks and establishing systematic controls to comply with legal obligations.
Cargo may be exposed to many hazards during the course of transit and the following are the most common
For cargo that is shipped to overseas destinations exposure to some of the following perils may occur depending on where in the world the transit is taking place and the time of year.
Motions of the vessel
Rolling, pitching, heaving, surging and swaying.
Wave impact
Water shipping over the bows impacting on deck stowed cargoes or containers.
Marine perils
Sinking, stranding or collision of the carrying vessel.
Temperature extremes
Heat or freeze damage to cargo or damage from moisture released from the air when crossing from cooler to warmer zones.
In most parts of the world rail transport of cargo is quite safe, however, in some territories the following should be considered.
Coupling impact during shunting operations
This may cause goods that have not been stowed properly to become loose.
Derailments
The shock of a derailment may cause even well stowed goods to break free and become damaged. Special cargoes, such as large items of plant or machinery may be severely damaged and require special lifting gear to remove them.
Transhipping
Occasionally goods shipped by rail over national borders must be unloaded and reloaded due to different track gauges. Underwriters should be aware of areas where this may occur as the opportunity for goods to be damaged is increased.
Air transit is considered as one of the most reliable methods of transporting goods, however, damage may be caused by the following:
Total loss of aircraft
Statistics show this to be a very rare event, however, occasionally poor weather or mechanical failure may cause aircraft to crash.
Turbulence
Sudden impacts caused by turbulence may cause damage to cargo improperly stowed. This is quite unusual as cargo handlers must ensure that goods do not move during normal take off and landing.
Conditions vary considerably in different territories, however, the following can be considered as hazards.
Collision and overturning
This is quite a common hazard, particularly in those territories where the road infrastructure is not very well maintained. Many cargoes will be completely destroyed after an overturning and even if not damaged as a result of a collision the consequences may affect a cargo insurance policy.
Shocks and vibration
These can be quite common particularly if the goods are transported over poorly surfaced roads.
Hijacking
This can be a particular problem in certain territories where well-organised gangs hold up lorries transporting valuable goods, usually following tip offs. Sometimes hijacking may be opportunistic and may not be widely reported.
