Transportation Hazards
Cargo may be exposed to many hazards during the course of a transit and the following may be considered the most common.
Marine Hazards
For cargo that is shipped to overseas destinations exposure to some of the following perils may occur depending 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.
Rail Hazards
In most parts of the world rail transport of cargo is quite safe however in some territories some or all of the following may need to be considered.
Coupling impact during shunting operations
This may cause goods that have been improperly stowed to become loose although experienced railway workers responsible for loading the goods will have minimised this risk.
Derailments
The shock of a derailment may cause even well stowed goods to break free and become damaged. Special cargoes, e.g. large items of plant or machinery may be severely damaged and may require special 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 happen as the opportunity for the goods to be damaged is increased.
AIR HAZARDS
Air transit is considered by many underwriters to be one of the most reliable methods of transporting goods however occasionally damage may be caused by the following:
Total loss of aircraft
Statistics show this to be a very rare event, however occasionally poor weather and/or mechanical failure may cause aircraft to crash.
Turbulence
Sudden impacts caused by turbulence may cause damage to cargo improperly stowed but this is quite unusual, especially as cargo handlers must ensure that goods do not move during ordinary landing and take off operations.
Road Hazards
Conditions vary considerably in different territories, however the following can be considered the most common hazards:
Collision and overturning
This is quite a common hazard, particularly in those territories where the infrastructure is not very well maintained and road conditions are poor. Many cargoes will be completely destroyed after an overturning and even if not damaged as a result of a collision, the consequences may effect a cargo insurance policy.
Shocks and vibrations
These can be quite common particularly if the goods are transported over poorly maintained roads although more robust commodities will not be affected. Cargoes such as household goods which are not homogoneous in size or shape and therefore cannot be easily stowed may be especially prone to damage.
Hijacking
This can be a particular problem in certain territories where well organised gangs of criminals hold up lorries of valuable goods usually following tip offs. Sometimes hijacking is more opportunistic and may not be widely reported and so underwriters should keep up to date with specialist journals. In areas where hold ups are common there may be fenced in compounds and underwriters should warrant that trucks park overnight in these.
Weather conditions
Underwriters should be aware of conditions in various territories at particular times, for example typhoons and hurricanes prevail at certain times of the year, which may affect cargo. In the more sophisticated territories infrastructure may be in place to protect cargo but in the less developed areas cargo could be at more risk.
Handling and Stowage Hazards
Improper forklift operations
Damage may be caused to cargo when the forklift is operated carelessly and impales goods instead of connecting with the slots in the pallet. Also goods incorrectly stacked on pallets may topple over when lifted by a forklift.
The following hazards may occur when cargo is handled and should be considered by underwriters:
- Pushing or dragging of cargo using improper equipment or inexperienced labour.
- Weight of superimposed packages
- Long term storage resulting in crushing of shipping containers.
Water Damage
Water can be particularly destructive to goods and may result from several factors:
- Contact with rain or sea water
- Ingress due to defective shipping containers
- Condensation
- Flooding
Theft and Pilferage Hazards
These hazards are amongst the most common cargo underwriters encounter and may arise due to the following:
- Inadequate security measures at storage, staging or loading/discharging point.
- Misrouting or non delivery of cargo due to insufficient marking.
- Goods shipped in packaging carrying advertising marks will attract an increased theft risk.
- Hijacking of container and cargo (see above)
Contamination Hazards
Cargo can be contaminated by several means and the result can be so severe as to constitute a total loss. In certain cases contaminated goods which may be perfectly acceptable to some countries are totally rejected by others and even if rejection cover is not given cargo underwriters may be called upon to pay a claim. Contamination may occur in the following ways:
- Residual material or odours from previous cargo
- Incompatible cargo stored in the same hold or container
INFESTATION HAZARDS
Cargo can be infested prior to or during the voyage and the result can be so severe as to constitute a total loss. In some cases normal fumigation processes may eradicate the infestation at the time of delivery to port warehouses or buyers premises. It is often difficult to establish when the infestation occurred and the warm damp holds of the carrying vessel provide excellent breeding grounds as bugs and insects of various types emerge from within one cargoes and migrate to other cargoes.
Vegetables, fruits, grains and pulses are most susceptible but infestation often spreads to other types of cargoes and their packaging.
Infestation may occur in the following ways:
- From eggs and larvae within the cargo itself or its packaging
- From other cargoes and/or their packaging whilst in warehouses, ports or during the voyage.
- From unclean the conveyances or vessels.
FIRE HAZARDS
Fire can be caused in several ways and the consequences may have as great an effect on cargo as the fire itself. The following hazards are particularly associated with fire:
- Ignition caused by friction, spontaneous combustion, external heat and/or chemical sources.
- Smoke or water damage