Cargo damages are important issues that affect shipowners. Keeping that in mind the UK P&I Club has formulated a guideline to handle such cargo damage claims.
Let’s take a look at them.
Controls
Weather routeing
- Does vessel participate in weather routeing service?
- Does ship receive weather maps and messages?
- Is master advised in ample time of any adverse weather?
- Does ship take evasive action, ie alters course/reduces speed?
- Are adequate records maintained?
- Are sea protests made?
Adequate packing of cargo
- Will the packaging withstand transportation to and from the ship and stowage ashore or during sea transport?
- Will the packaging damage the ‘said’ cargo or other cargo?
- Is the packaging correctly marked with lifting points?
- Is the packaging provided with suitable lifting wires/strops/lugs?
- What is procedure for rejecting/recording damage caused by poor packaging (big claims issue)?
- Is the container suitable for the cargo?
- Has the VGM (Verified Gross Mass) of the container been transmitted by the shipper?
Securing/lashings
- Is cargo correctly lashed and secured, containers, flat racks, oversize, cars, MAFIs (low loaders), etc?
- Is there a securing manual (CSM) on board is it complied with?
- Are lashing and deck fittings in good condition?
- Is there a maintenance/replacement system in place?
- Are lashings fit for purpose and sufficient in number?
- Have the lashings been applied in the correct manner?
- Is it ensured that lashings do not damage the cargo, ie on corners to avoid crushing?
- Are lashings checked on board by the cargo officer or OOW?
- Is it clear who is responsible for lashing and securing of cargo?
Stowage position procedures
Has the cargo unit been stowed in a safe position:
• Prior to delivery to the ship?
• During loading?
• During the sea voyage?
• During the discharge ashore and transportation to a safe secure stowage area prior to collection?
- Is the cargo plan accurate and has the cargo been stowed as per the plan?
- Has the stowage of the cargo on board ship been supervised by ship’s staff/OOW?
- Has the cargo plan been approved by the chief mate/master?
Cargo loading/discharge supervision (RoRo/Container)
- Are there written procedures on board regarding the responsibilities of cargo watch officer – are they followed?
- During discharge are procedures in place for checking all lashings are removed and twist locks in open position before lifting unit?
- Are there procedures in place for reporting damage (holes in container, etc) incorrect container vent settings, etc, rejecting cargo, managing/reporting poor stevedore cargo handling – are they followed?
- Is load/discharge supervised by ships staff continuously?
- Are good records of load/discharge details kept in rough cargo log?
- Are reefer units connected to ship supply promptly?
- Are reefer units temperature settings checked on loading?
- Are there sufficient spares on board for refrigeration unit failures?
- Is there a designated person responsible for reefer units, are they competent?
Ship suitable - Is the ship approved/fit to carry the cargo?
- Are the lashing systems fit for cargo?
- Are the lashing points strong enough for the load to be taken in all weather conditions?
- Does the certification of vessel allow this cargo?
- Are ship’s staff familiar with the cargo carriage?
- Have ship’s staff had training with the type of cargo?
- Is the ship’s manning level sufficient for the trade/cargo carried?
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Source: UK P&I
