When a vessel suffers a major incident, the ripple effects can hit importers long before the cargo reaches its destination — even if their freight wasn’t damaged.
This week, Ocean Network Express (ONE) confirmed that the owners of the ONE Henry Hudson have declared general average following the severe fire onboard while docked in Los Angeles. The fire took five days to contain, and containers will not be released until cargo interests provide the necessary guarantees and security filings.
For many importers, this raises a critical reminder:
General average means everyone shares in the cost of saving the voyage — not just those whose cargo was directly affected.
If your cargo is on a vessel when a general average is declared, you may be required to submit a General Average Guarantee from your insurer or a significant cash deposit if you’re uninsured before your freight can be released.
This is why marine cargo insurance shouldn’t be considered as optional — it’s protection against costs you never see coming.
As incidents like this show, shipping risks are real, unpredictable, and can halt supply chains overnight. Importers who have the right coverage in place move through situations like these with far less disruption.
If you’re unsure whether your current policy protects you against general average exposure — or if you simply want a second set of eyes — Alba is here to help you navigate what can quickly become a stressful and expensive situation.