Answer

Executive Summary

This is a detailed report to the senior management of Logical Ship Management (LSM) in reference to one of the container vessel that is under my management that is discharging in the port of Hamburg. This came about after the ship reported that the authorities contacted them because some of the containers contain presumed exceedingly toxic substances. Under the same line of thought, the report from the master highlighted that one of the containers was leaking and the current situation could intensify into a major health challenge. For this reason, the ship has to be relocated to a special berth to give room for the careful examination and unloading of the containers. The report therefore, expounds and explains my immediate action upon reception of the message about the discharging container in the port of Hamburg, the immediate person I contacted to help find the solution to the problem, and how the problem was resolved thereafter.

In the same breath, the report gives detail mitigating measures to the highlighted problem before highlighting the deemed recommendations to be consider right and fitting for the purpose of avoiding such problem in the future. For example, the report recommends that the carrier of the container should check the condensation inside the container and establish if the container is highly stuffed at high humidity temperatures. Furthermore, checking and verifying if the contents of the container that is leaking are hazardous, and whether the container is getting hot or not for it to be kept safe (Al Yami, 2017). It also recommends wearing of personal protective equipment when handling container damage issues, and choosing the right container after thorough examination are key mitigating factors to the problem in the future.  Some of the results that the reports highlights as the causes of leaking of container includes, human error based on the wrong choice of the container, bad stowing which is based on overloading the container, natural disaster, or machine malfunctions etc. (Filina-Dawidowicz, 2014).

Immediate action taken

Upon receiving information regarding one of the container vessels under my management that was discharging in the port of Hamburg, I contacted Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) which is a public service institution in Germany (Baur et al., 2014). This is an agency that assess and manages hazards the risks incurred in the containers that contain toxic substances along with the development and maintenance of the port (Hackius, Reimers, & Kersten, 2019). It forbids handling, loading and discharging of highly dangerous containers around the port due to the eventualities that come with it. It is also responsible for the investigation of the possible contributing factor or factors that caused the container to leak and the possible remedy to it (Lobo-Guerrero, & Stobbe, 2016).

Action plan to resolve leaking container

One of the major challenges and problem in the storage and transport of containers is the leaking from containers. The leaking of the container is normally caused by rough handling that dents drums, dwindles seams and closures respectively (Ha, Yang, & Lam, 2019). They can also be caused by the puncturing during the time of transporting them especially when packages and other container materials cause friction and rub against each other or on the walls of the track. The action plan refers to the critical evaluation of the size and the true nature of the leaking area of the container, the substance that is leaking out, the potential hazards and risks caused by its effect, and the resources required to solve such problem.  This is always carried out under the assessment practice and container inspection which defines the need for the right personnel, equipment, strategies and other meaningful resources to combat the leaking challenge (Clause, & Orso, 2010, May).

I will therefore carry out risk assessment aimed at investigating the main causes of the leaking of the container and the identified scenarios at hand. This will help when it comes to the personnel and tool analysis, system evaluation, personal protective equipment and the recommendations to be made thereafter. It also gives out risk control options that can propose efficient and practical risk control measures for the problem (Hackius, Reimers, & Kersten, 2019). The other action plan that I will undertake is the monitoring of the leaking container’s aspect, I will check if I can safely stop the flow leaking effect and if not then call the specialized personnel. If the container is damaged, then it should not be allowed to leave the port instead it should be set aside and allow other to be discharged after thorough verification of its current state.

On the other hand, I will think through in line with the legal aspect of the local government and emergency response teams depending on the ferocity of the leaking of the container. I will assess the intensity of the risk at hand and involve a formal response and contingency plan that involves resources and techniques that can solve the problem as quick as possible. Lastly, I will give preventive measures a priority by allowing responsive specialized personnel to provide and effective feedback of the root cause of the problem in order to settle it up fully (Sultan, Ahmad, & Dimitriou, 2019). I will then outline the procedures, techniques and strategies for mitigating the leaking effect as soon as possible. All this will be done under precautionary terms and conditions. 

Mitigating measures in order to avoid the problem in the future

Once the problem was identified that the container was leaking and the situation could lead to a major health problem, the ship was moved to a special berth for the purposes of examining the container carefully and unloading. Depending on the damage incurred, the carrier of the cargo was send to a survey to jointly unload the cargo. For the purpose of claiming the damage from the carrier, the first notice of intent to claim, photos, packing list, etc. were sent for the carrier to review the claim and establish which point might have caused the damage (Lam, & Su, 2015). The first mitigating measure that can help curb the problem in the future is by trying the find the best ways of avoiding the problem before it happens. This can be exercised through training the involved personnel on the best strategies, procedures and techniques that allow check-ups and monitoring of the containers before discharging any.

Employing container technology and risk management agencies and personnel that entail physical, mechanical methods and protection mechanism such as container’s leak detection play an inordinate mitigating role too (Yun et al., 2018). Investing in knowledge and technological innovation in accordance with container leaking causes, and remedial strategies is another mitigating factor. The port’s authority in line with crisis management specialists should put into place a disaster management plan and report any signs of container damage in time. Additionally, regular check-ups of the containers play a great preventive role. On the other hand, the report recommends the following insights to be considered for the purpose of avoiding the problem in the future;

That the carrier of the container should check the condensation inside the container particularly if the container is highly stuffed at high humidity temperatures. In the same breath, they should check if the contents of the container that is leaking are hazardous, if so then they should leave that area as soon as possible. If the container is getting hot, move it to place that is safe and call the specialized personnel for example the fire service agency (Yun et al., 2018). When handling anything pertaining to the container, one should always wear safety goggles and other personal protective equipment. The space utilization of the container has to be monitored, well checked for cargo; any empty spaces between the container pallets need to be filled with airbags. The distribution of the weight within the container has to be made sure that it is even; yhe loading of weightier substance on the side of the container must be avoided (Al Yami, 2017). Choosing the right container and thoroughly examining it is another recommendation that should be given consideration. Lastly, having a solid packing plan before the container is discharged is another key point to mitigate the problem in the future.

Conclusion

The leaking of the container that is carrying toxic substances before it is discharged could prove to be a great threat to human life and by extension to the environment. For this reason, every indispensable effort should be considered to see how such challenges and problems can be solved before the eventualities that come with them are experienced. Majority of port should consider and enact action plans, contingency and responsive programs to help prevent the hazards and the risks brought about by leaking containers. They should employ policies, rules, and legal measures that are preventive in nature and solution oriented especially in areas with containers that aren’t safe. The above comprehensive report to the senior management of Logical Ship Management (LSM) in reference to one of the container vessel that is leaking in the port of Hamburg  has evaluated an action plan, a responsive and remedial action, mitigating factors, and recommendations that can help curb the container leaking problem in the future.