Insurers have introduced a new type of cargo protection aimed at covering freight forwarders against losses arising from shipment delays and temperature-related damage.
The new cover is designed to address risks faced by logistics providers handling temperature-sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, seafood and other perishables. Delays during transportation can result in cargo deterioration and significant financial losses, even when the goods are properly packed and handled.
Traditional cargo insurance often focuses on physical loss or damage, leaving some delay-related risks outside the scope of coverage. The new insurance solution seeks to provide forwarders with additional protection against the financial impact of late deliveries and temperature excursions.
For freight forwarders, the cover could help reduce exposure to claims and unexpected costs when cargo is affected by disruptions across complex international supply chains. These risks have become more significant as geopolitical disruptions, congestion, weather events and operational delays continue to affect global logistics.
Temperature-controlled logistics require close monitoring throughout the transportation process, particularly for pharmaceuticals and other high-value products. A shipment that arrives late or outside the required temperature range can lose much or all of its commercial value.
The new insurance offering is expected to give logistics companies greater flexibility when managing such risks and could encourage wider adoption of specialised coverage for time- and temperature-sensitive cargo.
As global supply chains become more complex, demand for insurance products tailored to specific logistics risks is expected to increase, particularly in the growing cold-chain and healthcare logistics sectors.