Chain of Responsibility compliance and the container transport sector

The container transport sector throws up some very complex compliance hurdles compared to the transport of bulk or break-bulk cargo. The reason is that a container is a 'black box' and many intermediaries in the heavy vehicle supply chain who handle or transport a container have little actual knowledge of what is going on inside the container. Regardless, they can and have been held liable when what is on the inside of a container is non-compliant.

See no evil

A container will move through many hands on its journey from origin to destination. Usually, a container is sealed prior to departure and not opened until it reaches its destination. During its journey, a container is a black box. Intermediate contractors in the heavy vehicle supply chain that are handling or transporting a container usually have zero actual visibility over what is going on inside it.