During cargo operations using ship cranes on bulk carriers, there are cases where the ship crane wire is damaged or severed due to rough handling by stevedores.
In such cases, ship owners may claim reimbursement for wire replacement costs from the charterer (stevedore company). However, there are instances where the charterer refuses the claim, citing the poor initial condition of the wire.
To protect ship owners interest, the following effective measures are recommended:
- Inspection, maintenance, and replacement of the wire in accordance with company standards.
- Proper record-keeping of wire inspections, maintenance, replacement, and usage time. This indirectly demonstrates the wire's good condition.
- Videotaping scenes of the stevedore's rough handling and requesting them to cease such practices. If the situation does not improve, contact the agent and charterer.
- Before cargo operation start, ensure that the stevedore and crew confirm the good condition of the wire together. However, please note that certain ports or countries may have significantly strict standards regarding wire condition, so the implementation of this measure should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, in countries or ports where crane inspection, including wire inspection, is mandatory before cargo operation, passing the inspection can serve as evidence of the ship crane's good condition.
While it may be difficult to completely avoid such disputes, ship owner protection can be enhanced through regular inspections and maintenance (1) and proper cargo handling watch by the crew (2).
Please also refer to the Loss Prevention Guide by Japan P&I for further information.
https://www.piclub.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Loss-Prevention-Bulletin-Vol.36-Full.pdf
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