由 caicai8478 Due to its high value, numerous links, and complex operations, the transportation of large cargo carries significantly higher risks than ordinary cargo. A comprehensive risk management and insurance plan is crucial for ensuring project profitability and smooth execution.
I. Core Risk Identification
First, it is crucial to clearly understand the potential risks throughout the entire transportation process:
Physical Damage Risks:
Lifting Accidents: During lifting at the port of departure, port of discharge, or destination, cargo may fall or collide due to improper operation, broken rigging, crane failure, or miscalculation of the center of gravity.
Transport Bumps and Tipping: Severe rocking of the vessel caused by wind and waves can render lashing and securing ineffective, leading to cargo shifting, collision, capsizing, or even falling overboard. Poor inland transportation can also cause similar problems.
Improper Stacking: During storage at the terminal, cargo may be deformed by collision with other cargo or due to uneven padding.
Third-Party Liability Risks:
During lifting and transportation, cargo may fall or vehicles may lose control, causing damage or casualties to port facilities, bridges, roads, other vehicles, or personnel, potentially resulting in significant financial liability.
Time Delay Risks:
Shipment Delays: Ship breakdowns, weather conditions, port congestion, and other factors can lead to delivery delays.
Operational Delays: Delays due to insufficient port loading and unloading capacity, waiting for specialized equipment (such as heavy cranes), and customs inspections.
Consequences: This may impact the consignee’s production plans, leading to additional costs such as airport charges, demurrage, and storage fees, and even liquidated damages.
Administrative & Compliance Risks:
Document Discrepancies: Errors in documents such as bills of lading, licenses, and certificates of origin can lead to customs clearance delays or fines.
Customs Inspection: Goods detained for inspection by customs may incur inspection fees, demurrage charges, and even back taxes due to misclassification.
Quarantine Issues: Wooden packaging lacking the IPPC mark or fumigation certificate may result in goods being refused entry or requiring compulsory processing.
Environmental & Force Majeure Risks:
Adverse Weather: Typhoons, heavy rain, and dense fog can affect navigation and operational safety.
Political Unrest: Strikes, riots, and war in the country of destination can lead to port closures, cargo damage, or inability to collect goods.
II. Risk Management Strategies
Before purchasing insurance, it’s important to first prevent and mitigate risks through professional operations.
Choosing a Professional Partner:
Hiring freight forwarders and shipping companies with experience in project logistics and large-scale transportation. Their expertise and operational experience are the first line of defense against physical risks.
Comprehensive Technical Solution:
Shipping Plan: Require the service provider to provide a detailed lashing calculation and loading plan, which will be reviewed by experienced personnel.
Route Survey: Conduct an on-site survey of the inland transport route to confirm bridge height and weight restrictions, road turning radius, overhead obstructions (wires, cameras), and develop a contingency plan.
Strict On-site Supervision:
Scheduled Loading and Unloading Supervision: During critical stages such as loading at the port of departure and unloading at the port of destination, dispatch your own engineers or hire a third-party inspection agency (such as SGS or BV) to supervise on-site operations to ensure that all operations are strictly carried out according to the plan, and take photos and videos for evidence.
Complete Document Management:
Establish a document review process to ensure the accuracy of all customs declaration and clearance documents. Understand the regulatory requirements of the destination country’s customs for specific commodities in advance and prepare all certifications and licenses in advance.
III. Insurance Solution: Comprehensive Risk Transfer
Even with comprehensive controls, insurance is essential to transfer any remaining risks. General cargo insurance is not enough; special cargo insurance with all risks is essential.
Core Insurance: Marine Cargo All Risks
Coverage: Covers total or partial loss of cargo due to natural disasters, accidents, and other causes during sea transport. This is basic protection.
Required Critical Add-Ons:
Institute Cargo Clauses (Vessels) Grounding, Sinking, Fire, and Collision: Enhances basic protection.
On Deck Clause: Large cargo is often loaded on deck, posing a higher risk. This clause specifically covers deck cargo; without this clause, losses may not be covered.
Sling Damage Clause: Specifically covers losses caused by sling accidents during loading and unloading.
Inchmaree Clause: Covers losses caused by negligent acts of the master, crew, or ship repair personnel during operation, loading, or unloading.
War Risks and Strikes Risks: Whether to add insurance depends on the current international situation and the political situation in the destination country.
Survey at Jetty Clause: Allows for cargo damage inspections at the dock.
Fully Consider the Insured Value:
Insurance Sum: This should be equal to the invoice value of the goods + freight + insurance premium + a certain percentage of expected profit (usually 110% of the CIF value). Ensure adequate insurance coverage to avoid proportional compensation due to “underinsurance” in the event of a loss.
Deductible: Negotiating a reasonable deductible with the insurance company based on the cargo risk can significantly reduce premiums. Large cargoes often have an absolute deductible.
Clearly Define the Start and End of Liability (“Warehouse to Warehouse” Clause Extension):
Ensure insurance coverage from shipment from the warehouse at the origin to receipt at the warehouse at the final destination, covering the entire transportation process (including ocean transportation, inland transportation, loading and unloading, and temporary storage).
Third-Party Liability Insurance:
Confirm whether your insurance plan or logistics service provider has sufficient third-party liability insurance to cover potential property damage and personal injury to third parties. If not, consider purchasing additional insurance.
IV. Claims Process
Immediate Notification: Upon discovery of cargo damage, the consignee should immediately notify the insurance surveyor at the port of destination (contact information will be provided on the policy), as well as the insurance company and freight forwarder. Before the surveyor arrives, maintain the site as securely as possible and refrain from handling the cargo.
Requesting Inspection: An insurance company surveyor will conduct an on-site inspection, determine the cause and extent of the damage, and issue an inspection report.
Gathering Documents: Prepare a claim letter, insurance policy, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, proof of cargo damage (such as tally report, port records), inspection report, and other documents to formally submit a claim to the insurance company.
Claim Settlement: After reviewing the documents, the insurance company will settle the claim according to the insurance terms.
Summary and Recommendations
For large cargo exports to Southeast Asia, the golden rules of risk management and insurance are:
Prevention first: Minimize the probability of risk through professional planning and on-site supervision.
Insurance second: Use insurance as a last resort, reliable risk transfer method to ensure complete safety.
Comprehensive coverage: Insurance plans must be tailored to ensure comprehensive coverage, with particular attention to deck cargo, lifting, and transportation liability.
Professional consultation: Work with a professional logistics insurance broker who can help you design the most comprehensive and cost-effective insurance plan.