Seafreight cargo incident reporting system gains momentum

The Cargo Incident Notification System (Cins) – which shares information amongst member lines on all cargo with potential risk – has gathered momentum, expanding from its initial five founders to 24 members, with more expected to join soon, according to Cins’ chairman Dirk Van de Velde, also an executive at MSC. At the foundation in November 2010, the original five were Maersk Line, MSC, CMA-CGM, Hapag Lloyd and Evergreen, and all agreed to run and fund the system. It was developed to analyse global operational information on all cargo- and container-related accidents. The intention was to allow seaborne carriers to share data, and to establish areas of concern and trends in order to improve safety in the transport chain. The members agreed to share information on all cargo with potential risk, such as poorly or mistakenly packed, incorrect declarations and the like, aiming to help carriers train cargo handlers and provide information for revising various codes of practice, such as the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. Cins data is now online at Cinsnet with the mutual insurer, TT Club, and the International Group of P&I Clubs acting as advisory members, Van de Velde said: “The original idea was to focus on hazardous freight, but Cinsnet now covers all (cargo) incidents. “Rather than restrict the aims of Cinsnet, the founder members decided to let the scheme evolve in whatever direction seemed appropriate, given that the project does not breach any anti-trust or competition laws.” Cins members decided recently they wanted to restrict the network to container lines only. But with interest in broadening the concept to other parts of the supply chain, work is already well advanced on a separate Sustainable Ports and Shipping Network. This network will enable information related to dangerous or potentially hazardous materials to be even more widely shared by all those involved in handling or transporting containers, both at sea and ashore. Initial modules include a safety toolbox on standardised emergency response systems, and an eco ship and port toolbox that will collect data and offer solutions on how to reduce energy use and emissions from logistics activities.