Containers can go missing due to various reasons such as incorrect data entry in container inventory or arising from theft committed by organized parties. In the first instance of incorrect date entry, there is a likelihood that the missing container may reappear after being re-entered in data record for subsequent shipment following its discovery.
Under the second situation of container theft, the loss is definitely a permanent feature. Hence in order to minimize the risks of container theft, certain measures should be considered and amongst these should be the following.
Export shipments:
For every new customer, there should be better understanding into its status such as whether it is a long established reputable company, its nature of business and where possible, its financial standing. With such understanding of the customer there will be better confidence in delivering empty containers to them for loading. Such check should involve all departments coming together to provide as much information on the customer as available.
Customer is not the only party having possession of the containers. If the haulage contractor is appointed by the customer, it would be equally necessary to have similar understanding of the haulage contractor such as its reputation, how long it is established in the trade etc. The risks of organized theft involving haulage contractor cannot be simply discounted especially if there is delivery of high value container such as refrigerated box.
When the booking involves large number of containers especially with refrigerated containers, such booking should be treated with extreme care. Get to know the shipper if possible to verify the shipment.
When delivering the containers, always try not to deliver all containers in one time but to space out at interval with one delivery in exchange for return of the earlier one when it has been loaded.
Treat request for new containers with extreme caution. Customers should be made aware that used containers are equally suitable.
Keep close monitoring on container free time. Frequent update is essential if there is unusually long extension for delivery period. Charge the customer accordingly for the extension on holding on to the container.
Finally be observant on regular customers who suddenly change their container movements. Be aware of the number of containers in their possession and extension of delivery time. If there is a grand scale to stage a substantial theft on containers, the observation suggested herein together with the above measures may hopefully defeat any attempt on such theft of containers.
On the next issue we will consider the measures for import of containerized cargoes.
Note: No professional advice is intended in this note which is for general understanding.
