12 Insurance


Steps to reduce the stowaway risk


Sadly, people-smuggling has become a major issue in certain parts of the world. Mike Yarwood of International freight insurer, TT Club looks at how transport operators can minimize their risks.


Politics in target countries has led to stricter immigration laws and increased government action, but clandestine migration has become a persistent threat to the supply chain. Criminal organisations are


oſt en the facilitators. They know that the simplest way to move people across borders is to hide them in legitimate freight transport, so all stakeholders in the supply chain need to be constantly vigilant. The risks are to life – both


workers and migrants; physical damage to cargo, including soiling and contamination; additional freight costs; vehicle, equipment and cargo detention; fi nes and penalties; and reputational damage. Regular cross border


operators need to consider the preventative guidance governmental


authorities


have produced. TT Club has collaborated with, supply chain intelligence provider, BSI to publish a ‘Stop Loss’ briefi ng Clandestine Migration (https:// preview.tinyurl.com/https-www- ttclub-com-fi leadm) to support operators’ activities and allow them to implement increasingly


robust defences. Where migrants are


discovered within packed cargo transport


units (CTUs), the


primary concern is of course their well-being, but there may also be question marks over the condition of the cargo, particularly when it is intended for human consumption. There is a major risk from both contamination and damage. In such circumstances,


appointing an independent expert at the earliest opportunity may avoid cargo being declared a total loss, with the resultant disposal costs. An expert distressed cargo inspection can oſt en show that damage and contamination is


restricted to


a very small proportion of the goods. No mode of transport is


exempt from clandestine movement of people, but the risks are greatly heightened for road transport which accounted, in Europe, of 86% of recorded incidents. By nature, road transport provides a range of relatively low-risk entry points for stowaways. Vehicles use publicly accessible spaces and are unavoidably stationary


Zarges off ers safe solution for battery transport


Technology and logistics solutions specialist, Zarges, is off ering a new solution for the transport of lithium-ion batteries, which are increasingly being used in road vehicles and set to grow even faster over the few years. Electric vehicles pose serious


questions for the supply chain, particularly the safe transport – and disposal – of lithium-ion batteries. Neil Harper, sales manager at technology and logistics


access


solutions specialist, Zarges says: “Regulation around the transportation of lithium-ion batteries is growing as, if handled improperly, they can be a volatile, potentially explosive, product. Indeed,


lithium ion batteries


in transit are now classed as a dangerous good, and so must


adhere to the relevant modal regulations - ADR for road transit, for example.” Batteries being transported by


land, sea or air must be properly, and safely, packaged. This is particularly important for lithium- ion batteries that have reached the end of their life, or are damaged or defective. As a combustible item, lithium-ion batteries must be stored in fi reproof battery boxes, to safeguard against igniting once in transit. Furthermore, lithium- ion batteries of any kind must be separated when being transported, to prevent short circuits or damage to the battery terminals. Harper points out: “To that end,


Zarges has recently developed a brand new battery box specifi cally designed to shore-up safety in


Issue 2 2020 - Freight Business Journal


at various points during the journey. There are three fundamental


steps to reduce the risk. Provide adequate training for drivers on how to avoid becoming involved with clandestine migrants with written


security including vehicle


procedures, security


checklists. Deploy robust security devices to secure the vehicle, goods and cargo space and ensure that drivers are fully briefed on their use; and monitor compliance with all procedures. Once procedures are set, there


are practical measures to be implemented before packing, during the packing process and fi nally, in transit. Before packing ensure that the transport unit – particularly curtain-sided trailers – is robust enough to prevent unauthorised entry. As far as possible, ensure that


no one can gain entry during packing and instruct the driver only to sign a clean packing receipt when a proper check of the consignment is possible. Check the entirety of the seal cord (TIR Cord), in particular its ends and the seal strip, to ensure that


it is intact and free from


cracks, and has not been cut and put back together. During transit, inevitably


the trailer or unit will be leſt unattended - for example during meals, overnight or at terminals. Drivers should be instructed to check for signs of any tampering on return to the vehicle and to complete a security check list. For accompanied movements, deploying something as simple


lithium-ion battery logistics. Zarges’ K470 Battery Box Solution, which is


approved for


as a baby alarm in the trailer, with the control unit in the driver’s cab, will provide an alert and security equipment such as cameras may also help detect activity. If, despite following the above


recommendations, there is the slightest suspicion that someone has gained access to the trailer, irrespective of the location, the driver should immediately alert the local authorities (police, customs, ferry operator), but not try to confront any clandestine migrants. Whilst owners, hirers or


drivers may contract with third parties to conduct the required checks on their behalf, they are likely to remain liable for any penalty incurred if they fail to put an eff ective system in place or to operate it properly. Due diligence in the selection of contractors is critical. Constant vigilance and


awareness is the only way to combat stowaways in this type of transport. Vehicles should be checked regularly en route to ensure that they have not been entered, particularly aſt er stops when leſt unattended. Documentation detailing


the system operated to prevent unauthorised entry must be carried with the vehicle, so that it may be produced immediately to an immigration offi cer on demand. Checklists should be used rigorously and carried with the vehicle, particularly where endorsed by any independent third party witnessing checks, which will give them greater evidential value.


the transport


of hazardous goods, has been designed with Cirrux inlay that mitigates against potential fi res, with the outside of the box made of intumescent foil to prevent overheating.” The


aluminium casing is


suitable for up to three lithium-ion batteries, and has fi reproof padding and absorbent material made of


textured glass fi bres to ensure the batteries are suffi ciently separated. Developed with logistics in mind, the ergonomically designed cases have been built for ultimate ease of load and unload, and are durable enough for countless journeys. The K470 Akku Safe 40582 was originally developed and tested for E-Bike batteries, but has been adapted for specifi c automotive projects. (Automotive page 18)


Dachser expands in the South East


Dachser UK has opened an additional site near to its existing 2,500m2 transshipment terminal on Crossways Business Park in Dartford, Kent. Since establishing its first


branch office in the South East in 2005, the German-owned operator has now extended its capability by acquiring a new 2,700sq m cross-dock terminal with 25 docking stations and five-level access doors.


News Roundup


The Port of London Authority (PLA) says it is in talks are underway with would-be Manston Airport developer RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) over an air-water link to London. According to The Isle of Thanet News website RSP director Tony Freudmann suggests that freight would arrive at Manston, trucked to the Port of Ramsgate and transferred to Thames wharves by electric powered vessels using one of the 50 wharves in London available for commercial traffi c. RSP is awaiting a decision, now expected in May, on a development consent order to reopen the Kent airport and set up an air cargo hub.


Heathrow Airport is introducing tough new noise charges to reduce unscheduled fl ights arriving and departing from 23:30 to 06:00. Charges between these hours will be fi ve times greater than during the daytime noise in a bid to reduce disruption for local communities.


Etihad Cargo has selected general sales and support services group ECS Group to handle sales activities in multiple territories including the UK, US, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia from 1 April. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has entered into Cargo Service Provider agreements with ECS Group’s subsidiary company Globe Air to provide customer service, reservations, post-fl ight support, operations support, accounting and billing support services.


Heathrow Airport chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, is warning that Paris Charles de Gaulle is set to overtake the London gateway as Europe’s leading hub airport within the next two years. Despite a record breaking start to the year at Heathrow, with passengers growing by 2.9% in January, Charles de Gaulle is growing at twice that rate. Over 115,000 tonnes of cargo moved through Heathrow - the UK’s largest port by value - with the UK domestic markets top for cargo growth at 60.6%. John Holland-Kaye said that Heathrow’s new runway was vital to its future.


Air France-KLM Cargo, Delta Air Lines Cargo and Virgin Atlantic Cargo have launched an expanded trans-Atlantic Joint Venture. The carriers say that the new partnership represents 23% of total trans-Atlantic cargo capacity.


Virgin Atlantic is to launch a new daily 787-9 Heathrow-Cape Town service from October 2020 and will increase capacity to Cuba as part of its winter fl ying programme. The carrier has served South Africa for 24 years and already operates double daily services to Johannesburg. In March, Johannesburg will also be the fi rst non-US route to begin services with the airline’s new Airbus A350-1000. The carrier is also adding another weekly service to Havana and will now operate three times a week with a 787-9 aircraſt .


Luſt hansa has launched six-times a week fl ights between Newcastle and Munich, operated by an Airbus A319 aircraſt and off ering cargo capacity. Frequency of the Glasgow-Frankfurt service will also be increased from daily to double daily in the summer and the additional fl ight, like the existing one, will also carry freight. The German airline is also adding a new Frankfurt to Bristol in the wake of the Flybmi collapse last year but there will be no cargo capacity on the route for the time being.


Enterprise solutions company Tigers is off ering a new solution for the European B2C market in partnership with Swiss-based postal and e-commerce specialist Asendia, aimed at the low, small sized and low weight segment. Through the expanded agreement, Tigers will use Asendia’s Standard Goods and Fully Tracked Goods solutions.


///NEWS Air


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