I was reviewing the Handy Shipping Guide categories today and looking at some of the things many hardened transport types turn their noses up at. You know the sort of thing IT companies (Geeks), Legal and Financial Services (Vultures), Insurers (Hyenas) you get the picture.
Not my views you understand but I’m sage enough to know, especially when times are hard, that everyone in the industry pulls the belt in another notch and slams the door on the foot of anyone peddling that which they perceive as non essential.
So let’s review the options.
I.T. Now there’s two letters that provoke extreme reactions. Suffice it to say that the world really is moving forward. Just not necessarily in the right direction. A modern company absolutely needs to stay abreast of the “trends” (hate that word). The smallest self employed white van man now uses technology undreamt of even twenty years ago. Each has a mobile phone and a sat nav (where would he be without that? Lost probably comes the logical answer).
Legal and Financial. Well I confess I’m struggling to rush to defend the lawyers. Suffice it to say that there are occasions when they are essential. Without a legal background it would be impossible to argue an effective case in front of a Court. Why then do I feel they are learning their trade every time one speaks up for me? Oh, and if you consider them responsible for the ambulance chasing, no win, no fee ruddy awful TV adverts I doubt Rumpole himself could put up a credible case for them. Suffice it to say that if you need to prosecute your cause or defend it, a good lawyer is worth his weight. Just make sure you find him. Financial, sorry I can’t kick a man when he’s down, besides I might need a few quid one day, just remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Again, if you find a good one, hang on to him/her for grim death.
And so to Insurance. It was thinking of this lot that inspired this particular blog. Now some of my very best friends are Marine Insurers.
And I love them all dearly.
But somewhere hidden in the deep, dark recesses of the Captains mind, riding above the bit of the brain that manages humour and behind the pile of parrot crap I confess I have always thought they are in the safest profession in the world.
Like a mob casino they simply play the odds. If it costs them one year, sure as eggs is eggs, they claw it back the next.
But then Goods in Transit and Marine Insurance aren’t a bit like that policy Curry’s et al try to sell you when you pick up your new microwave, tumble drier etc. In our business (I’m assuming here you’re associated with freight/transport/logistics and not some stray surfer washed up on the deck of the Black Pig) Insurance is a must. And so in case you need a little reminder here are some shots of why it’s important.
You don’t have to watch it all, but it covers a lot of genuine marine stuff from container ships through to roll on roll off.
Getting that lot out of the way made me think that it’s the blue water/blue collar people that really make trans world trade happen. So in tribute here is a short film that sums up, better than I can, what really happens whilst you sit at your desk complaining that “a little weather” and your cargo is three days late and you’ve had the importer on the ‘phone, and he thinks he can sue because you “guaranteed” it would be here (I trust you weren’t that stupid).
So this is for you lads and lasses out there on the world’s great ocean bringing home the bacon (or more probably electricals, tennis balls, terracotta pots etc).




