IIn today’s interconnected web of supply chains, cargo claims are no longer straightforward. Global trade volatility has introduced multiple layers of risk, making disputes more complex and costly to resolve. At Arete Adjusting, we’ve seen how shifting trade patterns, port congestion, strikes, and extreme weather can create claims involving multiple jurisdictions, carriers, and policy wordings.
When risks overlap, shippers, insurers, and cargo owners need more than just documentation—they need clarity and coordination.
Here are four key issues contributing to this rise in complexity:
- Shifting Supply Chains
Nearshoring, reshoring, and diversifying sourcing routes mean that goods pass through a growing patchwork of legal jurisdictions. This broadens the scope of applicable laws and increases the risk of claim disputes, especially when cargo changes hands multiple times. - Labor Disruptions
Whether it’s a dockworkers’ strike, a warehouse shutdown, or transport operator protests, labor issues delay movement and expose cargo to temperature shifts, theft, and deterioration. These interruptions also trigger contractual penalties that escalate claim complexity. - Port Congestion
As global ports experience backlogs, cargo sits longer—sometimes for weeks. This extends liability exposure and leads to cascading issues like container detention, missed transshipments, and added storage costs, making claim resolution more intricate. - Severe Weather
Climate events are more frequent and intense, from hurricanes in the Gulf to wildfires on the West Coast. Under pressure when cargo is rerouted, delayed, or damaged by extreme conditions, insurers must untangle timelines, liability, and policy coverage.
How Arete Handles Multi-Layered Claims
Our approach combines industry knowledge with a collaborative process that ensures alignment among all stakeholders—insurers, brokers, forwarders, and cargo owners.
We:
- Assess the full chain of events to understand where liability lies.
- Coordinate with surveyors, carriers, and legal counsel to ensure evidence is complete and admissible.
- Guide clients step-by-step, translating complex adjuster or salvor requests into actionable tasks.
- Maintain clear communication so there are no surprises in timelines or expectations.
As cargo claims grow more complex, having an experienced, neutral partner to untangle facts from assumptions is essential. Arete Adjusting delivers a holistic, detail-driven approach to ensure claims are resolved fairly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your operations.
Contact Arete Adjusting to learn how we can support your next complex cargo claim—from first notice to final settlement.