A series of four major incidents involving container ships over the past four months has led TT Club to renew its call for shippers and supply chain participants to exercise greater diligence in the classification, packaging, packing, declaration, and handling of cargo.
These incidents include explosions and fires aboard the "Northern Juvenile" in the South China Sea in May, the "Maersk Frankfurt" in the Indian Ocean, the "MSC Cape Town III" in Colombo, and the "YM Mobility" in Ningbo.
While investigations into the causes are ongoing, TT’s Peregrine Storrs-Fox noted strong indications that potentially explosive chemicals and fire accelerants, such as lithium-ion batteries, may have played a role in at least two of these cases.
He said that, as with past incidents, errors likely occurred during the initiation of shipments and the communication of the exact nature of the cargoes to supply chain partners, leading to what he described as “perfect storms.”
Storrs-Fox stressed the importance of safety at every point in the cargo journey, urging all parties involved to prioritize this at all times.
This increase in serious container ship fires is reminiscent of a similar pattern observed in 2019, although the 30-year average frequency of such incidents remains about one every 60 days. Storrs-Fox pointed out that any life-threatening event is one too many.
Of the recent incidents, two occurred while the ships were berthed, allowing shore-side emergency services to respond quickly and minimize damage and loss of life. However, these events also raised concerns about pollution and potential berth blockages.
Incidents at sea, such as the one involving the "Maersk Frankfurt," can have far more severe consequences, as evidenced by the loss of a crew member, a fire that burned for several days, and the ship's continued presence with salvors at sea.
Cargo Misdeclaration: A Persistent Issue
Estimating the exact number of containers carrying dangerous goods each year is challenging due to issues with misdeclaration and non-declaration. In response to these challenges, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) amended the "Guidelines for the implementation of the inspection programs for cargo transport units" in 2022, urging governments to inspect all types of units, regardless of the declared cargo.
The recently released consolidated results from just eight countries, representing 5% of signatory states, for 2023 indicate ongoing safety concerns.
Although there has been some improvement in "placarding and marking," which serves as a first visual alert for stakeholders, including emergency responders, deficiencies in this area remain above 40%.
Additionally, the reports highlight a worsening trend in "Stowage and Securing" within units, a core issue under the CTU Code, marking the worst position since reporting began in 2001.
There is also a concerning five-year trend of increasing errors found in documentation, another critical risk indicator. Storrs-Fox emphasized the need for good communication along the supply chain, due diligence by all participants, and a culture of "knowing your customer and operating partner" to ensure the safety of every shipment.
The Need for a Culture of Safety
Storrs-Fox also acknowledged the recent statement by China’s Maritime Safety Administration, which underlined the responsibilities of shippers, alongside those of carriers.
He welcomed such regulatory warnings and encouragements but stressed that regulations merely establish a baseline for safety practices.
The TT Club’s call for greater diligence in cargo handling underscores the need for a systemic approach to safety, encompassing not just regulatory compliance but also a proactive culture of responsibility and communication across the entire supply chain. As the number of container ships and the volume of goods transported continue to rise, the imperative for vigilance in handling dangerous goods becomes even more critical.
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