Whenever any cargo damage occurs, answers are sought as to why, where and when it occurred, reinforcing the commitment that whoever is responsible for damage is also accountable for it.
Action upon receiving reefer cargoes in a rotten / lost condition?
. Contact your insurance company if your cargo is insured and carrier and/or
carrier’s agent immediately to arrange for a joint survey.
. You are advised to cease unstuffing operations if damages/loss are found and
await instructions from the agent’s surveyor.
. Notice of damage/loss has to be lodged within three days upon taking delivery
of the container
Reason of frozen lobster damage in a reefer consignment
A liner agent employee in Taiwan booked a 20 foot reefer container of lobster from Keelung to Melbourne. When the stowage plan for the port of Keelung was prepared, due to a clerical error in the agent's office the container of lobster was shown as part of the general stow. As a result the container was off-power for the voyage and, on arrival at Melbourne, the entire cargo of lobster was declared a total loss.
The receiver claimed US$74,000 from the line, and the line claimed the same amount from its agent. Although it was initially felt that the line had failed to mitigate its loss and had paid too much, the Club paid the claim in full, after consulting lawyers. It is important to mention that the financial consequences of simple errors are impossible to foresee. In this instance the value of the cargo was US$74,000 but it could easily have been a much larger figure.
In 2007 it is unusual for a claim on a refrigerated cargo to be less than US $100,000 per refrigerated container. Ironically, most reefer cargo damage occurs not because of technical reasons, but due to poor communication systems, management practices or administrative procedures. Most of these losses could have been avoided if appropriate checklists had been made and strictly adhered to, and the systems followed. Weak links in the chain of information need to be strengthened.
ITIC (International Transport Intermediaries Club) Claims Review reports that there have been an increasing number of claims (varying between US$15,000 and $150,000 in value) resulting from reefer containers either being left unplugged at the load or discharge port or being carried at the incorrect temperature.
Our detail pages below examine some typical cases of damage to reefer cargoes & countermeasures against future claims
Action upon receiving reefer cargoes in a rotten / lost condition?
. Contact your insurance company if your cargo is insured and carrier and/or
carrier’s agent immediately to arrange for a joint survey.
. You are advised to cease unstuffing operations if damages/loss are found and
await instructions from the agent’s surveyor.
. Notice of damage/loss has to be lodged within three days upon taking delivery
of the container
Reason of frozen lobster damage in a reefer consignment
A liner agent employee in Taiwan booked a 20 foot reefer container of lobster from Keelung to Melbourne. When the stowage plan for the port of Keelung was prepared, due to a clerical error in the agent's office the container of lobster was shown as part of the general stow. As a result the container was off-power for the voyage and, on arrival at Melbourne, the entire cargo of lobster was declared a total loss.
The receiver claimed US$74,000 from the line, and the line claimed the same amount from its agent. Although it was initially felt that the line had failed to mitigate its loss and had paid too much, the Club paid the claim in full, after consulting lawyers. It is important to mention that the financial consequences of simple errors are impossible to foresee. In this instance the value of the cargo was US$74,000 but it could easily have been a much larger figure.
In 2007 it is unusual for a claim on a refrigerated cargo to be less than US $100,000 per refrigerated container. Ironically, most reefer cargo damage occurs not because of technical reasons, but due to poor communication systems, management practices or administrative procedures. Most of these losses could have been avoided if appropriate checklists had been made and strictly adhered to, and the systems followed. Weak links in the chain of information need to be strengthened.
ITIC (International Transport Intermediaries Club) Claims Review reports that there have been an increasing number of claims (varying between US$15,000 and $150,000 in value) resulting from reefer containers either being left unplugged at the load or discharge port or being carried at the incorrect temperature.
Our detail pages below examine some typical cases of damage to reefer cargoes & countermeasures against future claims
