A new safety guide designed to mitigate risks in container shipping and improve international supply chain security has been launched.
The CoRsafe Safe Container Loading and Transport Guide was created through a partnership between CoRsafe, a safety-focused initiative from NTI, and Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA).
The guide aims to assist Australian businesses in ensuring their overseas suppliers meet the necessary standards for safely packing containers bound for Australia.
The guide was developed in response to data showing that improper or incorrect packing accounts for around 50% of container-related incidents during shipping.
It is intended for distribution by Australian companies to their international partners, helping to improve packing practices and reduce incidents that can lead to significant financial and safety consequences.
Chris Hogarty, executive general manager for strategy and supply chain at NTI, highlighted the potential risks of poorly packed containers, which can result in injuries, fatalities, and substantial financial losses.
“Improperly loaded containers can cause financial loss, reputational loss, injury, and in some cases, death. It’s important that everyone in the chain know their individual part in keeping everyone safe,” he said.
Under Australia's Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws, importers can be held accountable if they are found to have contributed to or encouraged their overseas suppliers to improperly pack containers. Penalties under CoR laws can be severe, with fines reaching up to $3.9 million for corporations and $390,000 or up to five years in prison for individuals.
The guide covers essential topics such as an overview of CoR laws in Australia and New Zealand, preparation of loads, load restraints, container dimensions and weight limits, and pest and water damage prevention.
It also includes a Container Packing Checklist from the Cargo Integrity Group, offering a practical reference for shippers and packers to follow.
CTAA director Neil Chambers emphasised the safety risks associated with improperly loaded containers. He pointed to NTI data showing that heavy vehicles carrying containers are significantly more likely to be involved in rollovers compared to vehicles hauling general freight.
“A common factor in these incidents is vehicle instability caused by unbalanced or inadequately restrained loads inside the shipping container,” he said.
The guide is available on the CoRsafe website. Additionally, those attending the upcoming Safe Container Loading & Transport Practices Seminar Series, which will be held across Australia in October and November, will have early access to both the full-length and simplified Chinese versions of the guide.
The release of the guide follows the 20th anniversary of NTI’s Premium Repairer Network.
In August, NTI marked two decades since the introduction of its Premium Repairer Network, a program that has transformed the landscape of heavy vehicle repairs in Australia.
Since its inception in 2004, the network has aimed to address inefficiencies in the repair process and foster greater trust between repairers and insurers in the industry.
The Premium Repairer Network was designed to standardise repair processes, reduce repair times, and control costs for both insurers and customers. Since its launch, rework rates have dropped from 28% to just 3%, leading to substantial cost reductions and improvements in service quality.
The network now includes 25 repairers across Australia, all of whom must meet strict criteria related to equipment, customer service, and industry expertise. It is overseen by the Premium Repairer Council, which ensures that repairers continue to adhere to these standards. NTI also offers a lifetime guarantee on all repairs performed by network members.
