THERE ARE two major elements to risk - damage and theft, according to surveyor/consultant, Oliver Oppler of Oppler & Associates.
But, he told FTW, risk management goes into what is behind these words - to all the practical aspects along the route which the cargo transits. Packaging, storing and transporting all play their part. Researching all of these factors assesses what can happen to the cargo - and how to best manage its movement.
SA is sadly a rather third world entity in the methodology of packing and handling and transportation of goods, Oppler added.
We face instances like the R3-million of damage that was caused when overheight packing cases hit a bridge on a road that nobody had surveyed before moving the goods, he said. If you're dealing with project cargo, a basic precaution is to check if the road is able to carry the goods safely to their destination.
Then there's constant hijacking of vehicles and their cargo.
Warehouses which are just not adequate in terms of security.
Dishonesty of staff in collusion with major criminal syndicates.
A lot of Oppler's time at present is spent evaluating risk management amongst importers and exporters.
People want to know what their exposure to risk is, and checking all the housekeeping and reputation of operations along the route is one way to minimise this.
The basic essence of what Oppler said is simple, he told FTW. Most of the areas of risk management are pre-cure. Prevention is the best medicine.
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