Earlier this month, the ONE APUS a 14,052 TEU containership built in 2019 and operating on Ocean Network Express’s (ONE) Far East Pacific 2 (FP2) Service suffered multiple stack collapse on board due to severe weather conditions while the vessel was enroute from Yantian in China to Long Beach in USA.
It has been reported that the vessel encountered gale-force winds and large swells around 1,600 nautical miles northwest of Hawaii, USA and these severe weather conditions caused the vessel to roll heavily resulting in an estimated 1,816+ containers to be lost or dislodged from its lashings.
As per a World Shipping Council 2020 update, it is estimated that on average 1,382 containers are lost at sea each year based on a 12 year survey done between 2008-2019. A stark reminder why having insurance is so important when shipping your items overseas.
No matter how good your removals company is. Sometimes things happen that are beyond everyone’s control. Your shipment will be traveling around the world on the water and the ocean can be very unpredictable at times.
Remember that different policies respond in different ways. Allow yourself to consider the ‘what ifs, items becoming damaged beyond repair or not arriving in a useable or acceptable state. Ask yourself could you afford the expense – and time – to replace everything you’re shipping if the worst does happen? And whether it’s really worth dicing with that risk?
Ask the right questions
Even if they are a household name in home insurance make sure you ask the right questions.
– Do they offer door to door or just door to port cover?
– Do they provide storage insurance to protect your goods even when they’re not on the move?
– Are they a marine or international transit specialist or would they not be known in the industry?
– Ask yourself (and them if you’re serious) what is their area of expertise, do they cover against the specifics of your relocation?
– Is there a lump sum option or flexibility of cover?
– What is the claims timeframe?
– Are there options to tailor the policy with cover extensions?
– Is there storage cover and if so, how long is it for?
Ask the experts
International moving expert John Mason International offers a variety of specialist cover to make sure your relocation goes swimmingly. Based on your personal choice and value of the load, John Mason International can offer a tailor-fit policy based on a valued inventory, where you declare an insurance value for everything you’re shipping.
John Mason International’s cover is available in three levels; ‘Restricted,’ where the owner covers the total loss of their shipment, ‘Standard,’ which covers all risks except the mechanical and electrical derangement, pairs and sets and mould and mildew options. And ‘Ultimate,’ which covers all risks plus optional extensions.
Whichever type of insurance you settle for, remember there’s a reason you’ve chosen to transport these belongings. You wouldn’t take out a ‘throwaway’ policy for holiday, car or life insurance, so if you’re serious about relocating, make sure you give each part of your move serious, individual consideration to ensure you’ve got every eventuality adequately covered. And give your next move the very best start.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or if you require any assistance with your move.
