GSF launches campaign to improve maritime transport supply chain safety

The Global Shippers' Forum (GSF) has taken firm steps to improve safety within maritime supply chains with the launch of a new campaign. Details about the global initiative were released at the organisation's annual meeting in London on Monday (April 8th) in the presence of over 50 shipper representatives. The aim is to make substantial improvements in logistics practices throughout the industry's supply chain to ensure the safety of employees operating in the system on a daily basis. The GSF received the backing of the vast majority of maritime officials and the new regulations will be rolled over the coming years. Among the details of the campaign include shippers having a legal and moral obligation to ensure that every shipment is correctly declared, stowed and secured in compliance with international rules. The amount of supply chain jobs will become more stringent as to maintain that no aspects are going neglected and that companies are sticking to the regulations set out for international bodies. The GSL explained that while the vast majority of firms comply to the rules there are still instances of items being mis-declared or loading and securing operations being carried out to a poor standard. With this in mind the organisation has said that will adopt a "hands-on" approach and provide easy to understand guides for managers, packers and warehouse staff on how to securely set up deliveries. Bob Ballantyne, chairman of the GSF, said: "Let there be no mistake, shippers take their responsibilities seriously. Our goal in launching this campaign is to promote and secure safer and more efficient supply chains. We are striving to achieve this by working in collaboration with the relevant international organisations and our supply chain partners." Liverpool is already in the process of boosting maritime operations with the development of Liverpool 2, a superport that will be able to welcome some of the world's largest container ships. The move is designed to help the supply chain network throughout the UK and allow the Merseyside dock to compete with facilities on the south coast.