Industry concerns rise after yet another box ship on fire off Indian coast
Ship casualty incidents along the Indian seaboard are becoming a daily news headline, amid growing ...
Fire has swept through several containers aboard the APL Le Havre just days after carriers announced they would impose heavy fines on misdeclared dangerous goods.
The Ministry of Defence in Gujarat State said fire had forced a diversion of the 10,100 teu vessel on Friday night, ...
Comment on this article
Christopher J Gillespie
August 12, 2019 at 3:20 pmWhile fines are a long overdue first step, such actions may do little to prevent this worrying trend.
Far to many shippers AND Forwarders lack even the basic training to prevent this and shipments of dangerous goods should only be tendered by those who are fully capable of their handling.
Our national association in Canada (CIFFA) offers DG training and FIATA has long championed the need for DG training of any forwarders’ employee to at least the level of awareness training, such that they can adequately vet shipments offered.
Ultimately the shipper bears full responsibility and liability to correctly declare goods offered for shipment. Given the fact that misdeclaration can lead to serious consequences such a loss of life, we need to up the ante as to the penalties, given that they border on criminal.