New loss prevention tool helps ships navigate heavy weather

(Posted on 18/10/24)

Extreme weather incidents are increasing across the globe and the impact on cargo ships is evident. Maritime insurance specialist The Swedish Club reports that it registered claims exceeding 25million USD attributable to heavy weather over the past five years.

In response, The Swedish Club has developed a Heavy Weather Alert tool as an addition to its leading loss prevention tool Trade Enabling Loss Prevention (TELP).

Heavy weather can cause structural damage, shifted cargo, broken mooring lines, wet damage, lost cargo overboard, and more. The Club says it has also seen examples where vessels have failed to suspend cargo operations and depart port in a timely manner when severe weather is approaching, resulting in major losses and claims. This is despite the fact that most vessels today have access to high quality weather reporting and weather routing.

The Swedish Club’s innovative Heavy Weather Alert provides timely loss prevention advice to insured vessels operating in proximity to severe weather patterns. Based on a vessel’s position, in combination with up-to-date weather information and real-time data, the Heavy Weather Alert system automatically generates a customised loss prevention alert, with hands-on advice, when severe weather conditions are detected near a vessel's position – thereby helping to mitigate potential risks and ensuring the safety of both crew and cargo.

The service has been fully developed in-house by The Swedish Club's Loss Prevention and IT departments, reflecting the Club’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that support its members in navigating the complexities of maritime operations.

Peter Stålberg, Senior Technical Advisor, commented: “Over the past five years The Swedish Club has registered claims exceeding twenty five million US dollars attributable to heavy weather. Any measures we can take to reduce this figure will contribute positively towards our members’ operations and insurance records.”

The Swedish Club’s TELP service combines latest technology with its years of claims experience and expertise, including information from external sources, to help vessels safely chart their way through high-risk areas around the globe. By tracking its insured vessels’ AIS signals, the Club is able to identify vessels bound for an area of particular risk and provide them with timely and tailored loss prevention advice relevant to that destination. TELP sends out the advice a few days prior to the vessel’s arrival, or when severe weather is approaching, enabling the crew to plan.

In addition to navigational risks or weather patterns, TELP can advise shipowners and Captains of problems with bunkers, pilots or towage, or known issues with unfounded claims or dubious charges etc. With many thousands of ports and waterways to navigate, often varying from voyage to voyage, it’s not easy for a Master to be aware of all potential high-risk areas. TELP can issue a warning if any of these ‘hotspots’ could be encountered during what should be an uneventful journey.

Current TELP subscribers will be automatically enrolled in the Heavy Weather Alert service as it is rolled out, ensuring they benefit from this addition without any additional steps required.