COURSE OVERVIEW:

Maritime Claims: Cargo Damage and Shortage (Operational Perspective) is an expert-level course designed to bridge the gap between shipboard operations and the legal complexities of commercial disputes. This course examines the most common causes of cargo claims, including moisture damage, physical impact, temperature fluctuations, and volumetric discrepancies in bulk liquid and dry cargoes. It provides a technical framework for identifying where and why cargo loss occurs during the transit chain from the shipper’s warehouse to the receiver’s facility.

The scope of this training involves the detailed analysis of evidentiary requirements and the role of the ship’s staff in protecting the owner’s interests. Participants will explore the mechanics of "Seaworthiness" and "Cargoworthiness" as legal defenses, alongside the technical operation of hold ventilation, lashing systems, and tank heating coils. The program emphasizes the importance of accurate record-keeping, the issuance of Letters of Protest, and the correct drafting of Mate’s Receipts and Bills of Lading to reflect the actual condition of the goods.

Coverage includes the commercial implications of "The Hague-Visby Rules," the management of joint surveys, and the calculation of shortages in oil and gas tankers. The course addresses the specific challenges of containerized cargo, including reefers and dangerous goods, and the impact of heavy weather on cargo integrity. By focusing on the operational prevention of claims, this course equips maritime professionals with the expertise needed to minimize financial exposure and handle disputes with technical authority.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

1. Identify the primary operational causes of cargo damage and shortage claims.
2. Define the legal concepts of "Seaworthiness" and "Cargoworthiness."
3. Execute proper hold preparation and testing for dry bulk cargoes.
4. Manage the technical operation of reefer containers to prevent temperature claims.
5. Calculate cargo quantities accurately using draft surveys and tank gauging.
6. Issue effective Letters of Protest (LOP) for shore-side discrepancies.
7. Conduct joint surveys and manage the interface with cargo underwriters.
8. Utilize "The Hague-Visby Rules" to determine carrier liability and exemptions.
9. Implement robust lashing and securing plans as per the CSS Code.
10. Oversee the correct ventilation protocols for moisture-sensitive cargoes.
11. Draft accurate "Remarks" on Mate’s Receipts and Bills of Lading.
12. Analyze the impact of heavy weather on the "Perils of the Sea" defense.
13. Coordinate with P and I Club correspondents during a major claim event.

TARGET AUDIENCE:  

Masters, Chief Officers, Cargo Superintendents, P and I Correspondents, and Claims Managers.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.