The state of belligerence currently taking place in a large region of the Middle East that does not have well-defined contours, with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran that triggered reactions and counter-reactions implemented mainly in the Persian Gulf area but also in areas hundreds of kilometers away, it always makes the outcome of the maritime expeditions that but also those that do not even come close to the region. For most professionals in this sector, this It is the time of uncertainty. A moment in which there is a risk of Quickly move from organized planning to one situation of chaos. To fix some fixed point in this sea The association of the Genoese freight forwarders Spediporto.

The general manager of Spediporto, Giampaolo Botta, summed up an evolution of the scenario that many operators are already experimenting extensively: "First of all - he detected - loss of reliability causes the time to pass from expected and estimated, the costs increase in cascade, with the entry into game of various kinds of surcharges (without forgetting the exposure to demurrage/detention/storage, because the goods, even if consumes space, generates tariffs, creates disputes) and the congestion moves elsewhere, with more transfers, queues operational delays and delays propagated even on distant routes".

In addition to costs and times and other components, shipping maritime law is also characterised by legal and that sometimes arouse the anguish of freight forwarders and of import-export operators that becomes a nightmare when they enter the War Risk Clause is at stake. How much the factor is triggered of war risk insurance, the lawyer pointed out Danilo Guida, specialized in maritime law, "the route It is no longer a right: it is a possibility. And first there is safety, then performance."

Guida recalled that many bills of lading provide for clauses that, in the presence of war, conflict or serious danger, allow the carrier to divert, suspend, unload in port reorganize your trip and reduce your liability for delays or non-delivery, within the applicable limits. The formulas change from company to company. There is usually a specific clause for the risks of conflict or a more general safety. The lawyer specified that the maritime carrier can decide on its own how to behave "if the clause allows for this and if the situation constitutes a risk concrete. But every decision - he observed - leaves traces costs, such as extra costs and a new chain of obligations for the owner of the goods".

It is in this kind of situation that - explained Botta - that "many discover late that the standard policy does not That's enough." In this regard, the suggestion of the lawyer Guida is to immediately verify the existence of specific coverage, aware, however, of the fact that the change in the scenarios of conflict can change the cost and availability of the itself during shipping.

By suggesting to operators how to move in this scenario, The lawyer first of all urged to "read the policy carefully of loading, look for clauses on war risk and the like, understand who decides what is responsible for the ancillary costs. È It is essential - he urged - to get in touch immediately with the freight forwarder to make a clear point on the state of the art, check the insurance situation, activating if necessary and if provided, extensions and retaining evidence of communications and of notices. It is also essential to develop a plan B credible, complete with a realistic assessment of extra costs and timing, also considering the terms of delivery (Incoterms) agreed in the sales contract between the exporter and the importer. Finally, equally very important, keep track of everything: it is always a good practice, but in times of crisis having Comprehensive documentation is an indispensable form of protection to manage complaints, disputes, requests for reimbursement, liability".

In summary, Botta and Guida specified, "when the Tension rises, the market does not reward those who shout: it rewards those who govern those who maintain lucidity and those who know how to explain to the customer without frightening him and without sweetening it".