Andrew Kemp, regional director EMEA of the freight transport insurance specialist TT Club, called for operators to do more to minimise the causes of incidents resulting in bodily injury, cargo and property damage.
TT Club data analysis, including over 9,500 claims, has shown that over 80% of insurance claims related to cargo handling at ports and terminals are the result of operational deficiencies or poor equipment maintenance.
Kemp emphasized: “It is clear that many of these incidents are avoidable if operators were to pay greater attention to some basic safety-related processes and give a higher standard of training to their employees.”
Kemp also stated: “We found that over half of incidents involved the internal systems and processes of the operator and another quarter were due to theft. These types of claim are most assuredly to be placed in the category of preventable.”
Terminal and cargo handling facility operators are therefore strongly urged to employ effective monitoring and checking procedures, a regular training regime, and to maintain industry best practice for safety and security.
Kemp concluded: “Prevention can be successfully achieved via a combination of safe and physically secure facilities and equipment, rigorous checks and double-checks on safety procedures, combined with well-trained, well-motivated employees and trusted partners.”
