TT Live
By TT Club
TT LiveJun 07, 2022
TT Talk - May 2024: Inventory management
While images of ships, trains and trucks are emblematic of the freight industry, effective management of the supply chain entails many diverse activities. The risks inherent in each supply chain operation are impacted directly and indirectly by an array of roles and activities. One such is the effective management of stockholding and order flow, referred to here as inventory management. Failure to exercise adequate controls can have enormous consequences for security, reputation and contractual liabilities.
TT Talk - May 2024: An active Atlantic hurricane season forecast
Risks to the global supply chain from climate change are inevitably operation dependent and geographically dynamic. In recent years, operations have been impacted by wind microbursts and heavy rainfall, through to droughts and wildfires, all seemingly occurring with increasing frequency, in unexpected locations and with increased ferocity.
TT Talk - May 2024: Enhancing cargo protection and risk mitigation in inland navigation
As a component of a net zero emissions strategy, many logistics businesses are exploring alternative modes of transport, including less polluting modes such as rail and inland waterways. While different that other modes, security and safety hazards still exist. Thus, proactive risk mitigation to protect against loss, damage and theft is required, particularly during transhipment operations.
TT Talk - April 2024: Acting on climate change
Predicted impacts on ports and waterways from climate change present a real risk to local, national and global economies. Disruption is increasingly being seen from extreme weather events, causing damage to infrastructure or equipment, injuries and fatalities. However, account needs to be taken of incremental changes, such as increases in air and water temperatures, rising sea levels and seasonal rainfall intensities.
TT Talk - April 2024: Understanding and combatting ‘nuclear verdicts’
The phenomenon of defendants facing the prospect of excessively high awards – known as ‘nuclear verdicts’ – against them in litigation, particularly in state courts in the US, appears to be happening with increasing frequency. What can be done to counter them?
TT Talk - April 2024: The supply of clean drinking water to ships’ crews
Access to safe and clean drinking water to sustain life is one of the most basic human needs; exposure to contaminated water can have serious health implications. Ports play an essential role in the provision of clean drinking water to the maritime industry, contributing to the welfare of the crew and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
TT Live - highlighting risk: casualties of the sea
In this edition of TT Live Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager, sits down with Kerime Huseyin, Senior Claims Executive, to talk about maritime risk.
This episode considers General Average, salvage, loss of cargo and causes of wreck.
TT Live - highlighting risk: the impact of customers demands on operational risk
In this episode Mike Yarwood, Managing Director Loss Prevention and Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager, sat down to discuss how customer demands can impact logistics operations - posing threats that you may not immediately consider in your risk mitigation strategy.
The two consider ways in which you can make your operations safer, more secure and more sustainable.
If you would like to hear more advice on supply chain security, listen to our other episodes!
TT Talk - March 2024: Due diligence - know your cargo
Thorough understanding of your supply chain counterparties and, specifically, the full nature of any cargo being accepted into transport is a matter central to TT’s Cargo Integrity campaign. Now there’s welcome endorsement from five US regulatory agencies.
TT Talk - March 2024: Journey to net zero - a logistics challenge
The global logistics and transport industry is facing unprecedented challenges in achieving material carbon emissions reduction. This now-accepted necessity for humanity has highlighted that the industry is estimated to contribute approximately 20% of emissions and this is likely to continue to grow at speed.
TT Talk - March 2024: Safe mooring - focusing on bollards
While the container sector has experienced increase in ship size of some 1,500% over the last 50 years, there have also been significant increases for other ship types, including cruise and car carriers. Regardless of future trends, the risk elements for port operations are writ large. Combining this with changing weather patterns around the globe, safety for navigation and mooring in ports are dynamic issues.
TT Talk - February 2024: Energy transition for a cleaner future
Seven years on from the Paris Agreement, as society transitions away from the use of fossil fuels to provide the energy to sustain industrial, business and domestic life aimed at reducing global carbon emissions and tackling climate change, ports, terminals and logistics operators find themselves at an energy crossroad .
TT Talk - February 2024: European Union Customs changes
The European Union's Import Control System 2 (ICS2), a cornerstone of customs security and safety, is poised for its third release on 3 June 2024. This evolution brings significant changes and enhancements, geared towards augmenting efficiency, optimising risk management, and bolstering the protection of EU citizens and the internal market.
TT Live- highlighting risk: strategic theft
In this edition of TT Live Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager, sits down with Guillermo Cancio, Senior Claims Executive, to talk about strategic theft in North America, a growing trend we have picked up on in recent years.
Guillermo explains how organised crime organisations have been manipulating current systems that are available, to portray themselves as legitimate motor carriers, and stealing cargo from the depot right under the nose of everyone involved.
Advice is provided for those in the industry who may be struggling with strategic theft, or may want to get ahead of the curve and put appropriate risk mitigation strategy in place.
TT Talk - January 2024: Are you exposed to RAAC?
Alerts were raised in the UK in mid-2023 about a potential serious safety risk arising from the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). While this particular building practice appears to have been widely adopted in public structures (for example schools), it is possible that it has been applied in port or warehouse facilities in some parts of the world.
TT Talk - January 2024: Ports and terminals - standard trading conditions?
It is obvious that ports are pivotal nodes in international supply chains. However, within each setting there will be a broad range of responsibilities and relationships, some statutory or regulatory, some commercial or operational. As a result, there will be an array of terms and conditions to be considered. It remains important to consider standard trading conditions to provide a framework that helps mitigate risks, streamline processes, and foster fair and efficient trading environment.
TT Talk - December 2023: Legal eagle - liability for post-discharge damage
In containerised transport it is easy to assume that everything that happens to the cargo between the point when it is packed to the point it is unpacked is within the responsibility of the carrier. The reality is that this will depend on the precise terms of the contract of carriage for any period when the international carriage regimes do not specifically apply.
TT Talk - December 2023: Drones and security
Security at ports and terminals is vital to protect cargo, other assets and workforce. However, the typical size and layout of a port (especially container terminals) can make monitoring difficult, since the line of sight may be obscured by cargo, buildings and plant or equipment. Similarly, the physical distance sometimes required to travel across the facility, compounded by the potential disruption to automated operations, adds to the challenges.
TT Talk - December 2023: Party time? Think time.
Hosting special events at your premises can be an effective means - particularly for ports - to engage positively with your local communities. This can create greater levels of transparency and improve common perceptions about your activities, as well as generate new income streams - all while serving to demonstrate a commitment towards social elements of an ESG policy.
TT Live - highlighting risk: lithium batteries and supply chain security
Join TT Club's Managing Director Loss Prevention, Mike Yarwood, and Risk Management Director, Peregrine Storrs-Fox, as they discuss key risk areas for the transport and logistics industry.
In this edition Mike and Peregrine discuss the risks of transporting lithium batteries as well as supply chain security concerns.
TT Talk - November 2023: Asset management - a case for drones
Ports, terminals and similar facilities use a wide range of handling equipment assets to serve the global supply chain in the movement and storage of cargo. Given the nature of the operations, these assets regularly see significant wear and tear over their service life. Therefore, to ensure safe and efficient operations, management must be able to make informed decisions based on the condition of their assets.
TT Talk - November 2023: Unplanned uncoupling
Safety of trucks on the high way is a paramount concern for the transport industry, impacting not only the lives of drivers but also all road users. It is imperative that industry stakeholders prioritise and uphold stringent safety measures. This article delves into one aspect of truck safety: unplanned uncoupling.
TT Talk - October 2023: Legal eagle - US freight brokers test defences
In the past six months, two important appellate court decisions in the United States (in the Seventh and Eleventh circuits) have come down in favour of the freight brokerage industry on the issue of whether negligence claims against freight brokers are pre-empted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (F4A).
TT Talk - October 2023: Transport of plastic pellets
Focus in maritime transport has been turned towards the safe transport of microplastic pellets following well-publicised incidents. While the debate rages as to how to mitigate the risks to the maritime ecosystem, those arising through the entire freight supply chain need to be recognised.
TT Talk - October 2023: Cargo packing matters
The biennial cycle of maritime dangerous goods regulations, the next Amendment of which enters mandatory application on 1 January 2024, provides a valuable opportunity to consider the trajectory of changes or improvements in safety for the freight supply chain.
TT Talk - September 2023: Legal eagle - Buchanan affirmed
An interesting challenge to established English law relating to responsibility under CMR for excise duty where goods are lost or stolen. Strongly maintaining the existing English law position, particularly post Brexit and VOCID, bring welcome certainty to the logistics industry.
TT Talk - September 2023: Alert to customs representation
Recent years, not least consequent on Brexit, have seen greater opportunities for logistics operators to provide customs related services to their customers. While potentially new and lucrative revenue streams, these services do not come without risk as TT has highlighted previously. In what precise capacity an operator acts will affect the potential liability exposure. In this edition, we take a look at risks applicable European Union wide, but specifically relating to a series of challenges identified in the UK.
TT Talk - September 2023: Importance of standard trading conditions
The global supply chain is fraught with potential risks, so disputes are perhaps inevitable. The exposure to financial consequences can be minimised, however, by maintaining a robust risk mitigation policy. Risk mitigation extends not only to the proactive steps taken to improve operational safety and security, but also to ensuring, from the outset, that adequate contractual protections are in place.
TT Talk - August 2023: Developing a safety culture
Compliance with regulations and related requirements is a given for all businesses. Failure to comply will place your business in an extremely difficult position, should a serious incident occur. However, adherence with the law should be seen as the baseline in the context of developing a mature safety culture. Furthermore, achieving the minimum may not ultimately be good enough for your business.
TT Talk - August 2023: Value safety
Safety culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours regarding safety within an organisation. If reflects the collective commitment to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for all individuals involved. A strong safety culture goes beyond mere compliance with regulations and standards; it fosters a proactive and continuous effort to identify and mitigate risks, prioritise, safety and promote well-being.
TT Talk - July 2023: Legal eagle - confirmation on the operation of time-bars
The English Court of Appeal confirms the Commercial Court decision clarifying the application of time-bars in relation to deliveries made after discharged from the ship. Further appeal has been denied, so this case bring welcome certainty, albeit clearly decided on specific contractual wording and factual situation.
TT Talk - July 2023: TT grasping at industry issues!
TT has been seeking over decades to deliver on its inherent mission to be at the heart of the global transport and logistics industry, and to make the industry safer, more secure and more sustainable.
TT Talk - July 2023: Container industry, future direction
For 25 years, this newsletter has communicated to the global transport industry information and guidance, highlighting a wide range of topical issues that the industry has faced. Rightly, safety has frequently been the focus of discussion. The industry will inevitably continue to face both existing and as yet unknown challenges.
TT Talk - July 2023: Container industry, incremental change?
Over the last 25 years, the global container transport industry has undergone significant economic and safety developments. As with so many aspects of life, many such developments are incremental and have faced various head-winds, such that highlights from this last quarter century may not necessarily be strong indicators of future trends.
TT Talk - July 2023: Horizon scanning - what's next?
Reaching a 300th edition is a significant milestone for any monthly publication, but much is still to be done, working together with the industry to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that TT Club supports, highlights upcoming challenges, identifies emerging trends and considers the yet unknown risks that the industry will face.
TT Talk - June 2023: Port and terminal security
Security is key for container terminals and ports generally. The threat horizon is vast, incorporating cargo theft, illicit trades, alongside operational safety and the prevention of terrorist attacks. Inevitably, account is needed of both land and water interfaces.
TT Talk - June 2023: Keep it cool
Technological advances in digitalisation of process, telematics and smart containers provide opportunities to mitigate risk for the temperature controlled supply chain. However, much still relies on human intervention - and that is the aspect that TT's claims experience suggests continues to produce losses.
TT Talk - May 2023: Fatigue can kill
Workforce fatigue is a topic that has been considered in the context of the COVID pandemic and also more generally in past editions of TT Talk. It, however, remains an important factor in keeping people safe and equipment and property protected.
TT Talk - May 2023: Death in spaces
There are innumerable spaces found through the global supply chain that should be considered encloses or confined, some more obvious that others. Unfortunately, these spaces claim many lives each year when ill-prepared workers enter them. For this reason, we return to this topic.
TT Talk - April 2023: Clandestine migration in freight
As previously highlighted, risks associated with clandestine migration around the world include impact on the freight supply chain. Criminal organisations behind this illicit activity have long realised that legitimate logistics operations present very efficient means of moving people, often undetected across key borders.
TT Talk - April 2023: Ports and terminal facilities - managing third-party personnel
There will be a range of people entering a port or terminal facility on a sporadic or temporary basis. Managing the safety of all third-party personnel who might not be familiar with your facility should be a high priority and can present additional challenges.
TT Talk - March 2023: Economic instability influences freight crime
The latest BSI and TT Club study of freight crime statistics highlights the direct influence of current global economic instability on criminal activity. Various geopolitical situations and the macro-economic impact of inflation around the globe have driven a series of trends through 2022 that are likely to continue in the foreseeable future. The global logistics industry need to be alert to the changing threat landscape.
TT Talk - March 2023: Legal eagle - what are the limits of limitations?
An English court review of what comprises, under the Hague-Visby Rules, “loss or damage to or in connection with the goods” where the claim includes both physical damage and economic loss elements. Should limitation be calculated on the weight of the entire cargo or just what was physically lost or damaged?
TT Talk - March 2023: Persistent wildlife crime
Wildlife crime is a topic TT has profiled before, but remains a critical threat to biodiversity, local and national economies, national and international security, and global health. The global pandemic itself highlighted emerging infectious diseases, 60% of which are considered zoonotic, that is infectious diseases that are able to pass between animals and humans, and elevated discussions around the impact of wildlife crime and unregulated trade.
TT Talk - February 2023: Valuing good housekeeping in ports and terminals
With ever increasing operational and financial pressures placed on ports and terminals, whether it be to reduce costs, increase throughput and productivity, or simply deal with demand peaks and troughs, housekeeping may be considered a fairly non-controversial topic and certainly not one that would feature on the priority list... perhaps it should.
TT Talk - February 2023: Encouraging and profiling excellence
For decades, TT Club has supported a range of organisations and initiatives aligned to the Club's mission of making the transport and logistics industry safer and more secure. Here, we profile a selection of these, providing updates and highlighting the importance of each.
TT Talk - January 2023: What can we get out of a box?
The humble shipping container has existed for over 60 years, admirably facilitating global trade through intermodal supply chains with great efficiency. In recent years, however, there have been numerous innovators seeking to harness emerging capabilities and imagine boxes integrated into broad supply chain activities.
TT Talk - January 2023: Electronic bills of lading - delivered?
The advent or electronic bills of lading (e-bills) has been promised for around a quarter of a century. The pinch points encountered through the pandemic doubtless have catalysed developed and acceptance, together with a drive for business efficiencies. Are they now poised to play an important role in shaping the future of the transport industry?
TT Talk - December 2022: Legal eagle: Procedures - in litigation and trade
A Singapore appeal judgment delivers some clarity on court procedural practices. However, the broader application really relates to ensuring that 'know your customer' and due diligence procedures are robust in order to provide protection where fairly usual requests for changes are made in the course of a transaction.
TT Talk - December 2022: Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors
The requirement for employers engaged in the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail, or inland waterway to appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) was introduced from 1 January 2000, through EC Directive 96/35/EC. With changes afoot, is this enough?