The statement you refer to was in respect of containers shipped
from an inland point that had been filled and sealed at that inland
point. The seals were said to be intact at the time of loading on
board ship and at discharge at destination. Yet, the containers
were found to be empty...
Obviously we cannot speculate on how this may have occurred
although we agree that the theft of entire container loads on board
ship indeed seems unlikely. But in respect of your question whether
container weights are checked during loading or not we can offer
the following observations:
Containers arrive at ship's side for loading already locked
and sealed. Therefore, all that is visible during loading are
locked and sealed steel boxes.
Port container or gantry cranes do have a weight indicator but
the operator, who is a third party, will not necessarily always
observe this nor is he/she in a position to know what the weight of
a particular container should be. Container weights vary according
to the contents whereas sometimes even empty containers are carried
for repositioning.
In theory it is possible to ask the port for a weighing slip
but this means extra costs. It is also not really feasible to
interrupt loading in case a variance were to be observed. Modern
container vessels carry large numbers of containers and spend
little time in port. Schedules are very strict and interruptions
are unacceptable.
In some ports containers are loaded using ship's own gear
(lifting equipment), for example if port equipment is in short
supply. Such on-board equipment is not necessarily fitted with
weight indicators.
The realistic conclusion therefore has to be that checking
container weights during loading is not a viable proposition unless
someone is prepared to incur, possibly substantial, costs.
But even then, there have also been instances where the contents
have been replaced with sand or dirt, rendering such an operation
useless…
Stuffing containers at distant inland points and sending them
directly into the port for loading obviously saves both costs and
time. Unfortunately, as demonstrated by this particular event and
depending on circumstances, this can involve a certain amount of
risk. Inland shippers faced with such issues therefore have
to determine how much risk is acceptable to them, and what
additional security measures they can take, such as escorted
convoys for example. Of course such measures unfortunately mean
extra costs and these, usually, end up being borne by the growers
by way of lower prices…
Please see topic 05.01.08 as well as Q&A 058 and 061 for
more on container issues and section 05.05 Insurance.
Posted 06 September 2007.