Cooling units can break down, temperatures can be incorrectly set, inspections can be missed, and errors can occur at the ramp: everything that can happen during temperature-sensitive transports and how to take precautions with "Kümmel" was discussed at the SVTL's traditional "Ofenhock" (Oven Hock) in Oberkirch.

The losses that occur in freight incidents, whether caused by technical errors or human error, whether involving pharmaceuticals, electronics, or food, can easily amount to six- to seven-figure sums due to the fragile and perishable nature of the goods transported, even in a single container. The presentations by competent industry experts, who, at the invitation of the Swiss Association, provided around 40 participants with insightful insights into the world of insurance in "dynamic areas" such as the sea transport of fresh meat, the handling of claims, and the workings of modern insurance companies, met with great interest at the conference venue in Oberkirch.

Th. Keller, NVC Insurance

Anyone who expected boring numbers and statistics was disabused of this notion and confronted with some striking examples, including by lawyer Marc Friedrich, head of the recourse department of the consulting firm Reck & Co., which has offices in Bremen and Basel and regularly deals with expert opinions, damage cases and recourse claims.

The supply chain thus harbors numerous pitfalls, the effects of which are not immediately apparent – because they arise in secret – and often require considerable expertise to determine the root cause. Reefer containers designed for refrigerated transport may initially exhibit unsuspected temperatures upon arrival at the destination. Only data loggers, temperature recorders, and so-called "temp tales," which record the progress and even short-term interruptions in the cold chain, can provide insight into damage cases whose causes can sometimes be traced back to only a few degrees of temperature difference – or even fractions of that.

Furthermore, because different temperature zones can occur within a container just a few meters apart, spatially offset positions should be defined within standard containers for data collection by sensors, at both ends and also at half and full height. Adequate air circulation is also crucial during loading; neglect of this, and the resulting inaccurate temperatures, has already caused some shippers unpleasant surprises. Equally important is pre-cooling and pre-temperature control of the containers, as well as "pre-trip inspections," which are also commissioned on-site by insurance companies on a random basis.

An example presented by Friedrich of a shipment of 478 cartons containing 12 tons of beef from Montevideo to Rotterdam is a testament to the careful handling of fresh meat. The required temperature was -1.4 degrees Celsius, which actually doesn't seem particularly demanding, since even slight temperature fluctuations can affect the fresh meat offered in the premium segment. A brief temperature increase on one day in April was quickly corrected and brought back to the required standard temperature.

But the freezing point of fresh meat is between minus 1.5 and 1.8 degrees Celsius (in reality: minus 3 to 4 degrees Celsius) – and not exactly 0° Celsius, as is the case with water. Condensation accumulated in the packaging, soaking one-third of the product and rendering another third inedible.

The shipping company claimed that the goods had already been loaded in Montevideo at too high a temperature. Loggers had recorded the temperature spike, but the transport contractor claimed that "there were no recording devices on board at all." Since data records can also be manipulated and contested depending on calibration and certification status, a settlement was ultimately reached, according to Friedrich.

"Unfortunately, international maritime law is not uniform," says the expert. Court locations and jurisdictions in New York, London, or Marseille can lead to very different rulings. The legal situation is determined by previously concluded agreements signed by the parties, which "are often not read carefully," (...) and – where applicable – by international conventions such as the Hague-Visby Rules. The latter date back to 1968.

The conference venue in Oberkirch (LU)

Markus Minder of "Helvetia," which has a specialty line department specializing in engineering/technical, transport/marine, aviation, space, and art transport in Switzerland and international markets such as Asia and Latin America, confirms the importance of the "fine print" and explicit risk management in security measures. As a precautionary measure, insurance companies often cover up to 100,000 Swiss francs to allow on-site surveyors to inspect the goods correctly, including, for example, ensuring the correct temperature is maintained.

Of course, cargo theft is also a risk in truck transport, with 919 incidents recorded across Europe in June alone – 109 of which occurred in unclassified parking lots. Insurance companies insist that truck drivers check the integrity of seals, doors, locks, and closures after every stop. To prevent the accidental pickup of "stowaways," it is even recommended that no breaks be made 200 km before Calais and before the Channel Tunnel on journeys to Great Britain – and that the carrier be stipulated in the general terms and conditions that the carrier is not liable for damage caused by "stowaways."

Photos: klk/Chr. Pauli

Speaking of "insurance," the SVTL board said, and also gave Thomas Keller and Tobias Spychiger from the insurance provider NVC, new members, the opportunity to present their ideas for modern employee insurance and optimized retirement provision through an adapted occupational pension structure in accordance with the BVG (German Federal Occupational Pensions Act). "Kümmel" plays a special role here: namely, as an acronym for " control , overview , employee orientation, market analysis, savings and solutions ," which the two humorously distributed to the participants as a "reminder" in the form of pretzel sticks with—ditto—real caraway seeds. SVTL President Marco Manzetti and other participants, such as STEF Managing Director Hanspeter Harnisch, confirmed that occupational pension provision remains a large gray area for young people entering the workforce. "Most people don't care at all about pension conditions at this point." This makes it all the more important to provide advice in this area.

Remember: If the customer is poorly insured, the whole thing can quickly end in a scam.

Klk./www.svtl.ch