In the past the DOS form was only completed on request but Transnet has now put a stop on this by requesting the completion of the form as soon as the vessels berth.

Transnet has not explained why the change of procedures.

Two recent examples investigated by the Bureau illustrate how such online confirmations – whilst appearing convincing – cannot be always taken on face value and relied upon. These also further underline the need for independent verification of credit complying documents, particularly the bill of lading. The first example covers what appears to be a valuable containerised shipment of copper cathodes from South America to the Far East. The Bs/L presented appeared on their face to be in order. The carrier’s website further attested that the cargoes had been loaded as per the two Bs/L referred. IMB’s investigations on the other hand contradicted what the website stated.

The physical carrier had quickly confirmed to the Bureau that the vessel was trading elsewhere. Whilst the vessel had bunkered at the discharge port, no cargo operations had been performed in respect of this transaction. A number of mistakes on the fake carrier website were also present with regards to the vessel and further highlights the potential problem with reliance on such resources for cargo confirmation.

The second example relates to the purported shipment of a spurious urea cargo from Malaysia to Vietnam. On this occasion, the carrier’s website bore a remarkable resemblance to the legitimate website of one of the world’s largest liner companies. In fact, the website pages had been replicated and presented in such a manner that at first glance may lead users to unwittingly believe that they are dealing with the legitimate carrier’s website.

Corporate logos resembling those of the liner company were also present throughout the web pages. The liner company subsequently had the offending website taken down. By this time however the damage had already been done and the unsuspecting victim had already paid out a considerable amount to those behind the fraudulent website.

A degree of caution must be exercised by banks and others when seeking online confirmation for certain carrier websites. Unless the carrier is well known, and the origins of the website verified, total reliance on website confirmations should be avoided. Like legitimate businesses, fraudsters have been quick to appreciate the value of a well presented website in furthering their “business”….

The above two cases are not the only examples where third party online confirmation markedly differs from the truth and the Bureau’s findings and responses to its banking members.

 Forth Ports is investing in substantial equipment and site upgrading to LCT to ensure customers continue to receive a first rate and enhanced service. It is also integrating LCT with the busy short-sea terminal, also located at Tilbury.

“We are confident of delivering a highly efficient and positive experience for our customers.  We are delighted to work with Kalmar on this straddle carrier deal, which is the first step of many in the modernisation and upgrading of LCT,” said Stuart Wallace, Divisional Director of London Container Terminal at the Port of Tilbury.

LCT handles in excess of half a million containers per year and is the only UK port servicing both deep-sea and short-sea customers. LCT is located on the Thames and is a key shipping and distribution location with access to London and the South East.

“We are pleased to be working again with the Forth Ports group, and in particular London Container Terminal, to deliver 14 new Kalmar straddle carriers, allowing the terminal to become totally integrated across its short sea and deep sea operations with regards to its straddle fleet. This delivery, scheduled for April next year, will further increase the number of Kalmar carriers at the terminal at what is an exciting development time for London Container Terminal,” said Ismo Leppänen, Managing Director of Cargotec UK Ltd.

At full build-out, the deep-water full-service port will be one of the largest in Africa with 7 km of quay and 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) of dedicated yard, and will include state-of the art facilities for container, bulk, liquid bulk, Ro/Ro and general cargo as well as oil and gas operations support and a barge terminal. Plans for the adjoining Badagry Free Trade Zone will include a power plant, oil refinery, industrial park and warehousing and Inland Container Deport functions. The first phase of the project is scheduled to open in 2016.

“We are actively working with state and federal governments on the permission process” stated APM Terminals Africa-Middle East Regional CEO Peder Sondergaard, adding that “the Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos State and the Nigerian federal Government have been supportive and positive”.