A SITUATION OUTLINE OF THE CASE STUDY

It was not the first time that an error was present during the transport of the customer in question. After the inspection of a previous transport, a ticket was issued. Then, on the next assignment, a number of photos were taken by the driver. On the basis of an opinion of an external safety adviser, it was then decided to refuse the cargo because it was not in compliance with the shipping measures.

CHANGE WITHIN THE TRANSPORT SECTOR

Cargo securing specialist Geert Frans of CS-TS indicates that this is a turning point. “The demand for transport is high and the supply is scarce. As a result, carriers can impose their requirements in the field of load securing, more than in the past. This way of thinking is also logical: in the event of a road check or damage, such certificates are required from carriers. If these cannot be presented, immobilisation, fines and a lot of delays are the result.”

Sven Geerts agrees: “Some transporters may have been afraid of losing customers, but today the sector is in a stronger position. Moreover, it is in the carrier's interest, but also the shipper, that the cargo is secured in order. What we certainly want to avoid is discussions between drivers and the customer. That is why we always have a driver take photos and an external and independent safety advisor assesses whether the load is in order. In this way we can take both our organization and that of the customer to a higher level.”