In part one of our Complex Claims series in partnership with McLarens, senior surveyor and loss adjuster Jeremy Fielding shares his learnings from the foundational case in his career.

Ambiguity and high stakes are the constants of marine claims. When an 800-tonne steel coil cargo in transit from South Korea to Australia broke free in a storm off the New South Wales coast it caused devastation.

Initially stowed as bulk, non-containerised cargo, it was stacked directly in the ship’s hold (break bulk). Some of the cargo in the subject hold was offloaded at an earlier port, but unfortunately, the carrier neglected to re-secure the remaining coils.

Substantial voids in the hold and lashings were left unchecked, a set-up that became perilous when the ship sailed into the storm. The coils, some weighing up to 14 tons each were dislodged, battering the hold and causing severe damage to the cargo and the ship.

Chaos as steel coils break free

Arriving on site for what was to become a turning point in his career, McLarens Australia Senior Marine Surveyor and Adjuster Jeremy Fielding encountered chaos.

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