www.bulk-distributor.com
Est. 1990
May/June 2020
BULKDISTRIBUTOR
Your single information source for bulk and semi-bulk logistics
Tank Containers • Flexitanks • IBCs • Drums • FIBCs • Bulk Liners • Road Tankers • Loading/Bagging • Bulk Logistics • Cleaning & Repair Depots • Components
IN THIS ISSUE
Shipper 3
Tank Containers 4
Components 8
Cleaning & Repair 9
Asset Management 11
Industrial Packaging 13
Logistics 14
The lag between the large-scale sourcing regions of China and other parts of Asia and the consuming markets of Europe and
North America has caused significant build-ups of goods produced in the former regions but not now required in the latter
TT Club warns of risks
from cargo build-up
As consumer demand and manufacturing production for production lines that are either static or at reduced capacity.
slowed in many parts of the world, cargo, either in
In the UK for instance, the latest estimates are that 90 percent of
containers or stripped from transport units, is building up in the country’s warehouse capacity is full.
warehouses, port terminals and inland depots.
“Security is clearly the most dominant of the risk issues as operators
This is carrying numerous additional risks, freight and logistics seek alternative storage,” explained Michael Yarwood, managing
insurer TT Club warns.
director loss prevention at TT Club. “Whether it’s taking up buildings
The current pandemic has disrupted global supply chains in a wide not usually used for storage or laden vehicles parked adjacent to a
variety of ways. In particular, the lag in its effects between the largescale
sourcing regions of China and other parts of Asia and the security regime may not be of a similar standard.
full warehouse, or simply facilities unfamiliar to the operator, the
consuming markets of Europe and North America has caused
“This concern is not just limited to fencing, lighting, security patrols
significant build-ups of goods produced in the former regions but not and CCTV, but also communication with hauliers delivering cargo to
now required in the latter.
unfamiliar premises. There is also the constant danger of vehicles
Such accumulations include cargo in containers at both
being diverted into the hands of criminals; so-called round the corner
transhipment and destination port terminals, as well as import theft,” emphasised Yarwood.
consignments that have been delivered to warehouses and
The physical characteristics of a temporary facility may also be
distribution centres (DC). These are primarily non-essential products, unsuitable in a range of ways, such as weather-tightness,
for which there is little demand as retail outlets are closed or supplies phytosanitary issues, uneven hard standing. Further, consideration
HIGH PERFORMANCE COATINGS
FOR TANK CONTAINERS
MADE IN GERMANY
y our number 1 in europe for:
• ChemLINE 784®
• Proco – EMAIL, black®
• Proco – ECTFE HALAR®
• PLASITE® 3073
• Interline 9001
• Proco – L (F14E)
• Proco – A (F17E)
your
chemical resistance experts
in europe
HÜNI + CO
Eckenerstraße 65
88046 Friedrichshafen
GERMANY
www.hueni.de
[email protected]
FEATURES IN THE NEXT ISSUE
Industrial Packaging
Flexitanks & Liners
Loading Racks
Road & Rail Tanks
To advertise or contribute please email
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Ports & Storage 15
needs to be given to the nature of the cargo and the capability to
handle and store hazardous materials and specialised commodities
correctly (such as high value or temperature controlled).
These factors may also extend to inappropriate or substandard
handling equipment and the requirement to subcontract labour and
security personnel from previously unknown sources. Where possible,
established standards should be maintained, including undertaking
full due diligence.
Yarwood also drew attention to the importance of maintaining
records and an efficient documentation flow. “In a situation where
goods and cargo units are located in unusual facilities, perhaps off-site
at some distance, it is vital for accurate records of movements, storage
times and potential drawdown requirements to be preserved.”
Such bottlenecks in the supply chain through the lack of demand
for goods may be temporary as diminishing orders start to affect the
flow through. However, one of the knock-on effects currently being
experienced is that some port terminal operators, along with their
ocean carrier customers, are attempting to help importers by
delaying delivery and/or providing temporary storage for containers.
A recent survey by the International Association of Ports & Harbors
(IAPH) shows a mixed picture at ports around the world. “Thirty-five
percent of ports reported an increase in utilisation of warehousing
and distribution facilities for foodstuffs and medical supplies, with
some ports reporting capacity shortages,” the analysis shows.
The club’s risk management director Peregrine Storrs-Fox said:
“There will be regional variations within these trends of course. As
inbound congestion on terminals rises, we are seeing some European
ports offering off-terminal storage for undelivered import containers.
In the current extraordinary environment, all involved in the supply
chain should be taking extra steps to assist in finding solutions. Care
must be taken however to ensure that in providing such a facility,
operators do not expose themselves to additional liability and risk.”
Many of the potential risks and liabilities that apply to warehouse
and DC operators will face a terminal or carrier in placing undelivered
containers in temporary storage locations. In addition, container and
cargo damage potential could be heightened in facilities
unaccustomed to handling full containers. There is a heightened risk
of phytosanitary issues where off-terminal storage locations may
have less permanent surfaces or increased exposure to vegetation
and pest ingress, particularly if the storage is long-term.
The dwell time of such containers may also become an issue if the
cargo is eventually abandoned as the goods become ‘off-season’ or
the importer ceases to trade. The question of traceability then
becomes a more critical issue.