Good morning, today we are talking with cargo protection experts Agnieszka Popiel and Dorota Tymieniecka-Janiszewska from MSC Poland about the MSC EPR (MSC Extended Protection) solution.

Could you explain why it is worth considering this form of transport protection? 

Agnieszka: Good morning. Even with all precautionary measures in place, both sea and land transport always involve certain risks. War risk at sea, Storms, fires, or thefts are just some of the threats that can lead to damage or loss of cargo, causing significant financial losses for companies. That’s why it’s worth considering the MSC EPR (Extended Protection), solution which offers an additional level of protection, complementary to traditional cargo insurance policies. This is especially valuable for companies looking to minimize the risk of losses due to unforeseen events. 

What distinguishes MSC Extended Protection from other products available on the market, and what benefits does it offer? 

Dorota: Good morning. First of all, flexibility. MSC EPR covers a wide range of cargo categories transported by MSC globally, including both dry and refrigerated goods (excluding fresh cargo). This flexibility is especially valuable for significant producers and exporters like Poland, known for its frozen meat and dairy products, which stand to benefit from our EPR coverage. Additionally, customers can also opt for a partial protection of their cargo value especially when it comes to low-value cargo, allowing tailored coverage to fit different cargo profiles. Importantly, there are very few exclusions concerning goods, and EPR provides extensive geographic coverage, in both door-to-door and port-to-port relations, except for a few countries, mostly those under sanctions.

Our clients also appreciate the simplicity of the protection purchase process. The entire procedure can be completed online, already at the stage of online booking on the mymsc.com platform and e-shipping instruction. At the same time, MSC Poland ensures direct contact with the client, which is why EPR sales often take place through individual negotiations. This allows the optimal adjustment of the EPR level based on the value of the goods (CIF + 10%).

The same applies to claims handling. Our company focuses on improving administrative ease and shortening the claims processing time, often to an average of 30 working days (once the customer has provided all the required documents to assess the claim). The entire process is managed by a dedicated support team (risk prevention/claims team) and a dedicated MSC Poland Sales Advisor. 

What specific risks are covered by EPR? 

Agnieszka: MSC EPR protects customers’ cargo against a wide range of risks that can occur during transport. Primarily, it protects cargo against risks related to severe weather conditions, such as storms or strong winds, which can lead to damage. The protection also includes rare but serious incidents like fires, which can have major consequences for the transported goods.

Additionally, the coverage includes cases of theft and pilfering (minor thefts of parts of the cargo), which is especially important when transporting valuable or sensitive goods.

The protection also covers incidents related to salvage attempts, grounding of the vessel, sinking, collisions, and damage caused by flooding. Of course, wetting damages consequential to a hole in the container, most of the time because of some mishandling in the terminals at loading stage will also enter the scope of the EPR protection.

For refrigerated cargo, the protection also accounts for temperature variation within the container due for ex to malfunction of the refrigerated container or power outage lasting over 24 hours, which could negatively affect the quality of the goods. Moreover, with EPR, at no extra cost, the cargo is also protected against war risks at sea. 

How does the claims process work within MSC EPR? 

Dorota: The claims process under EPR has been designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind with a simplified procedure for our customer to follow- available on our EPR landing page on msc.com- which makes it easy for the customer to file their EPR claim.  

In the event of damage or loss of cargo, it is crucial to immediately notify the MSC representative and inspect the container and goods. If visible damage or loss is detected, these circumstances must be reported directly upon delivery or no later than 3 days after the delivery date, by sending the relevant documentation to the email address: epr-claims@msc.com.  

The documents required for filing a claim include the MSC bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, waybill, and delivery receipt. Importantly, MSC covers the cost of hiring a surveyor to assess the damage, which further simplifies the process. The entire claim should be submitted along with the documentation within 30 days of delivery. This ensures a transparent and swift process, with claims typically resolved within an average of 30 working days after all required documents are submitted, offering convenience to customers. This streamlined process allows clients to focus on their business, knowing any claim will be managed quickly and efficiently." 

Does MSC EPR offer any additional customer benefits? 

Agnieszka: Yes, EPR offers several additional benefits aimed at minimizing losses in unusual transport situations. For example, if cargo transported is machinery and is damaged, the protection covers the costs of air transport for replacement parts. What this means for our customers in Poland is that they can have peace of mind knowing that costly disruptions in machinery deliveries can be swiftly managed, reducing downtime for businesses. 

EPR also covers damages caused during customs inspections and costs associated with removing damaged cargo or debris. Additionally, the protection applies in cases of damage caused by fumigation of goods while they are under MSC’s care. Our customers won’t have to worry about unexpected costs related to customs or fumigation procedures, helping them to keep their supply chain running smoothly. 

Moreover, if the consignee refuses to accept the shipment or cannot collect it, the protection is extended for the duration of the cargo redirection. However, it’s important to remember that this protection only applies within the first 30 days after cargo was discharged at its destination and reloaded to be redirected to another destination. For Polish customers it means they benefit from extra protection in cases where delivery complications arise, avoiding additional storage or shipping costs. 

Another key aspect is protection in the event of a General Average declaration, where MSC will take the burden of issuing the guarantee on behalf of the customer (releasing the customer for the financial burden of blocking money for his GA contribution which is the condition to have his cargo released when GA is declared). In this instance, customer will also be refunded for any potential losses that may arise from such a situation if entering the scope of the EPR. What means, our customers in Poland are shielded from major financial obligations during critical maritime incidents, allowing them to maintain liquidity and avoid disruptions. 

In summary, what else should we know about MSC EPR? 

Dorota: MSC EPR is an exceptionally comprehensive solution that provides broad protection for goods transported by sea and land. It ensures fast procedures, reduces formalities, and guarantees flexibility in adjusting the level of protection to the client’s needs. It’s definitely a product worth considering, especially for companies transporting valuable or sensitive cargo. We encourage businesses to reach out to us directly to explore how MSC EPR can enhance their logistics operations and provide additional peace of mind. Don’t miss the opportunity to protect your cargo with one of the most flexible and reliable solutions on the market! You can contact us directly to email address: agnieszka.popiel@msc.com and dorota.tymieniecka@msc.com. For more details, visit MSC EPR Solutions. 

Thank you for the conversation and explanations! 

Experts: Thank you!