31 May The CTU Code Could Soon Be Law – Are You Prepared?
The CTU Code was published in 2014. It’s possible that the standards could become mandatory as per innumerable requests that insurers and shipping companies have made since its inception. The general consensus is that it is only a matter of time before these requests and pleas become a legal requirement.
What Is The CTU Code?
CTU Code stands for cargo transport units code, and it is a set of standards for proper, safe, and adequate packing of cargo. This is to ensure the safety of all people involved in handling the cargo, and to prevent cargo damage arising from poorly packed goods.
What Are The Implications To Your Cargo Securement?
Legalising the CTU code is in the best interests of everyone involved in shipping cargo, from shippers, to their employees, to the recipients on the other end.
Being aware of the requirements is your best preparation for the change. If you can apply these requirements across your global supply chains, the implementation will likely not affect you at all. With insurers and shipping companies insisting that it is applied to their shipments, spot checks at ports will start coming into place to ensure that shippers aren’t ignoring the code.
Inadequate securing or packing of cargo will be your liability, and it will be up to you to ensure that any issues are rectified. Cargo securing can end up costing billions of dollars in damages and loss. As a shipper, proper cargo packaging and securement should be your priority already.
Safety In Adequate Cargo Securing
The CTU Code is available in many different languages and is over 120 pages long. The reasons for implementing it are powerful in order to prevent personal incidents and accidents, cargo damage, and any losses. Inadequate packing has even resulted in the loss of lives when opening up improperly secured containers for unloading or inspection. This can happen on board a container ship, or even when it’s docked. The risks are not worth taking, and serious delays can be imposed on shipments that are not adequately packed and secured. Penalties can also be enforced and cargo can be rejected.
The challenge is an important one to consider for business in many industries. There is a growing list of problem materials including charcoal, any battery-powered electronic devices, fireworks, wool, cotton, vegetable fibers, hand sanitiser, granite and building materials, fishmeal, and many others.
Applying The CTU Code To Streamline Operations
Understanding the CTU code might come as a challenge, which is why it’ll help having an expert team to help you implement it. Working with DunLash cargo securing solutions specialists, you can navigate the code and understand how best to incorporate it into your business. There will be specifics that relate to your business and shipments.
We are here to support you through this process. Becoming compliant and aligning with the CTU code now will help you transition easily when it does become legal.
Get in touch with us and we will ensure that you are ready for the CTU code implementation.
