Secure Your Shipment Even When Cargo Burns
Cargo shipments are crucial for every international business owner. A recent incident in Bangladesh has made everyone turn their heads towards cargo safety and the associated financial risks.
A massive fire at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, recently damaged storage units filled with ready-to-export garments, raw materials and product samples.
The losses are estimated around hundreds of millions of dollars, with some reports suggesting a number as high as US$1 billion. Flights were suspended, and manufacturing and export schedules were disrupted right at the end of the critical autumn season. This highlights the fragile nature of global supply and the risk of damage or complete loss to high-value goods. For exporters, freight-forwarders and transporters, the journey from factory gate to buyer shelf is not free of risks.
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Secure Your Shipment Even When Cargo Burns
List of Content
- Transit Risks Are Real
- Why Risk Planning and Right Insurance Matters
- Secure Your Business’s Future
- Key Takeaways
Transit Risks Are Real
What this incident highlights is that even with strong safety protocols, goods in transit or storage remain vulnerable. Whether it’s fire, theft, natural disasters, mishandling or logistical error, every link in the supply chain carries risk.
The Bangladesh fire mishap shows how quickly everything can be lost or damaged- materials lost, shipments delayed, contracts jeopardised, and reputation shaken. If such risks exist for large-scale exporters, they also exist for SMEs and local shipments.
Why Risk Planning and Right Insurance Matters
Business scale-up means global supply and crossing borders to gain bigger success and recognition. Moving goods internationally or across cities involves multiple touchpoints: loading, unloading, storage and transportation. At each stage, goods face exposure to damage or loss. A single event, such as the Bangladesh fire, can halt operations, affect cash flow and impact client trust.
This is where marine insurance comes in by being the safety net that ensures your goods are protected during the long transit and at all touchpoints. Whether it’s fire, theft, mishandling, natural disasters or shipment delays, marine insurance ensures businesses can recover from losses and continue to operate smoothly.
From small exporters to large freight forwarders, marine insurance provides financial backup so that one incident doesn’t threaten the whole business. TATA AIG’s SME insurance solutions protect domestic and international cargo, offer customised coverage and include guidance and claims support.
How Does it Help You?
If your business moves goods, such as raw materials, finished products, or anything in between, the Bangladesh cargo fire is an example of how unexpected events pose a great risk.
This incident highlights why every business needs a plan to manage risks during transit. Reviewing your logistics’ safety, building stronger coordination with supply-chain partners, and ensuring financial protection against loss can help you stay prepared.
Without proper insurance:
- You could lose your goods completely.
- You might have to pay for delays or contract penalties.
- Your reputation could take a hit if you can’t deliver on time.
But with the right Marine Insurance plan, things look very different. Beyond just covering financial losses, marine insurance offers practical advantages:
- Maintaining client trust: Clients and partners know that shipments are insured. This strengthens relationships, attracts new clients and helps secure business.
- Ensuring business continuity: Operations can keep running without disruption, even if a shipment is damaged or delayed.
- Meeting contractual obligations: Many contracts with clients, suppliers, or logistics providers require insurance coverage. Having it avoids disputes, penalties, and legal complications.
- Access to support services: Policies often include guidance on risk management and claims assistance, helping businesses reduce the likelihood and impact of future incidents.
- Improved negotiating position: Businesses with insured cargo can confidently take charge of larger or higher-value orders, knowing the financial risk is covered.
Secure Your Business’s Future
Whether you’re exporting goods overseas, importing key components, or delivering across India, the Bangladesh fire reminds us that risks can appear anytime, anywhere.
The difference between a small setback and a major loss often comes down to one thing — being insured. With TATA AIG Marine Insurance, your cargo is protected throughout its journey, giving you peace of mind that your hard work and investment are safe. Explore our marine insurance plans to protect your goods in transit, ensure business continuity, and effectively reduce your risks.
It’s time to treat cargo cover not as optional, but as essential because disruption doesn’t warn before it strikes. Secure your business future today.
Key Takeaways
Supply chains are fragile: Even minor incidents can trigger large-scale disruptions.
Risks are everywhere: Fire, theft, mishandling, natural disasters and logistical errors are constant threats.
Planning matters: Reviewing processes, coordinating with partners and anticipating disruptions reduces financial and operational damage.
Protection ensures continuity: Provides financial backup and helps businesses run smoothly.
Builds trust: Clients and partners value businesses that can handle unexpected events without major interruptions.
Secure Your Shipment Even When Cargo Burns
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