When shipping goods via containers, mis-declared dangerous cargoes are a serious problem that can result in vessels fires as well as harm to passengers on board.
In an effort to mitigate this issue, shipping lines are turning to software solutions, such as the “Hazcheck Detect” tool, to try to stop the mis-declared dangerous cargoes being loaded on the vessels. The tool screens cargo booking details for keywords that may lead to suspicious bookings being identified as mis-declared or undeclared dangerous goods.
Singapore’s Pacific International Lines (PIL) recently signed up for the software, and, according to the companies GM of Operations and Procurement, within a few weeks of using the tool, they were able to prevent over 100 containers from being loaded that could have been mis-declared dangerous goods.
As a freight forwarder and logistics provider, what liability or E&O you might face for mis-declaration?
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