Britannia P&I Club said that claims for reefer cargo damage have been going up in the last two years, in tandem with the growing refrigerator trade.
The claims, related to allegedly damaged refrigerated containerised cargo carried on Britannia P&I’s members’ vessels, amount to over US$6 million.
Britannia P&I said, “The number of such claims has been rising recently, although from consulting with industry experts, the cause is unclear, and it is most likely due to a combination of factors.
Where there is the loss of the entire contents of a 40’ high cube container (by far the most common type of refrigerated container), the claim cost incurred can be substantial.
Recent cases include claims of US$550,000 resulting from delayed reefer repairs; US$500,000 for the unintentional thawing of 12 containers of tuna and US$335,000 for the temperature abuse of 27 containers of fruits.
The majority of claims arising, where a consignment is found in an apparent distressed condition upon receipt, are due to temperature abuse. This can occur due to a number of reasons, such as the cargo being loaded whilst at a temperature significantly different from the carriage set-point temperature, and reefer malfunctions.
The insurer continued, “Reefers should be stowed allowing safe access for periodic checking and for repairs. It is recommended that they should be stowed no higher than the second tier from the deck or lashing bridge. Access for checking and conducting repairs on refrigerated containers on the second tier should be subject to a risk assessment. We’re aware of refrigerated containers being stowed three or four tiers from the deck or lashing bridge, where checking during the voyage and the provision of repairs would be unsafe, if not impossible in the case of major repairs being necessary, such as changing a compressor.”
“This is poor practice and should be resisted,” pointed out Britannia P&I.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
