In today’s world where consumption is at its peak, businesses have expanded their services to reach those who are overseas. As a matter of fact, it’s not inconceivable that there are tons of items – coherent or not, being shipped all over the world right now.
However, when it comes to shipping, high risks and costs are possible. There’s no guarantee an item will reach you in an acceptable state or even reach you at all. It can take days or weeks to arrive depending on the weather or situation the ship is facing. So from this standpoint, a wise businessman or consumer will have to do his best to navigate unprecedented events with a trustworthy marine insurance policy.
To give you an overview of items people have shipped, here are some interesting ones reported:
Boa Constrictor
Remember the animated movie Madagascar? Well, it’s not that far off from happening in real life after all. There was an instance when an 80 cm boa constrictor was transported from Guatemala to New Zealand. Unfortunately, the inspector was caught off guard as the owner did not declare in the papers that it contains one dangerous animal. Good thing no one got hurt.
Oil Rig
In 2017, a decommissioned oil rig weighing 24,000 was carried by a vessel named Pioneering Spirit. It was taken from the North Sea up to the Port of Hartlepool to be dismantled and recycled.
Nuclear Submarines
Who would have thought that submarines would need a lift? The Russian Defense Ministry shared a photograph of nuclear submarines on its way for refurbishment.
Cleopatra’s Needle
Then leader of Egypt and Sudan, Mohammad Ali, gave Cleopatra’s Needle as a gift to the United Kingdom in honor of the British success in battle. However, due to the huge expense it needs to be delivered, it was not until Sir William James Erasmus Wilson volunteered to pay for it was it transported. Cleopatra’s Needle was an enormous Egyptian Obelisk weighing 224 tons and standing at 21 metres.
Wind Turbines
Measuring over 650 feet, a whole wind turbine is impossible to transport all the way from China to Australia. To be able to do so successfully, the team had to ship the turbine by its parts.
Thinking about the effort put into transporting these items, makes you realize how incredible people are in the shipping industry. A lot of things are actually resting on their shoulders as they make their way from a destination to another. This makes availing a marine insurance all the more important. As we all know, anything can happen at sea.
