The Global Shippers' Forum (GSF) has released details of a global campaign to enhance safety in the maritime transport supply chain with the aim to secure improvements in logistics practices to ensure safer transport operations. Meantime, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) is extending its on-going safety at sea programme.

GSF points out that while the vast majority of shippers comply with the rules, it is a regrettable fact that instances of wrong declaration and poor standards of loading and securing take place. Much of this is down to a lack of understanding of the rules and packing and securing know-how. To fill this information and knowledge gap, GSF has launched a series of "hands on" and easy-to-understand best practice guides for managers, but also, importantly, for packers and warehouse staff who actually physically handle, prepare, secure and stow cargo for shipment.

In launching the campaign at GSF's annual meeting, in the presence of over 50 shipper representatives from around the world and representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Bob Ballantyne, chairman of the GSF said, "Let there be no mistake, shippers take their responsibilities seriously. Our goal in launching this campaign is to promote and secure safer and more efficient supply chains. We are striving to achieve this by working in collaboration with the relevant international organisations and our supply chain partners. We strongly support the work of the IMO, in particular the Maritime Safety Committee's current work in finding practical and workable solutions to issues such as verification of accurate weight declarations."

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