Insurance

Single Shipment Marine Cargo Insurance

Ad hoc marine cargo coverage for individual consignments. One shipment, one policy, full protection under Institute Cargo Clauses (A) from warehouse to warehouse. Voyage arranges single shipment cover for project cargo, one-off movements, new trade corridors, and any consignment that sits outside your regular shipping programme.

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Our Specialisation

Marine Cargo & Liability Specialists We focus on marine cargo insurance and freight forwarder liability. This means deeper underwriter relationships, faster placements, and better terms for your trade programme.

Asia-Pacific Trade Corridors We work with underwriters who understand the commodities and shipping routes coming out of Malaysia, Singapore, and Southeast Asia. Regional expertise, global coverage.

Specialist Extensions War risk, strikes, specie, and project cargo. We arrange coverage others decline, including high-value goods and shipments through conflict-affected corridors.

You have a single consignment of industrial equipment worth $1.2 million shipping from Penang to Hamburg. You don't ship often enough to justify an annual facility. But this one shipment represents more than your quarterly profit margin, and it is about to spend four weeks on the water with no coverage unless you arrange it.

Single shipment marine cargo insurance covers one consignment, one voyage, warehouse to warehouse. You tell us what you are shipping, where it is going, and how it is getting there. We place coverage under ICC (A) with the extensions your shipment needs. You get a policy and certificate before the cargo moves.

This page covers:

When single shipment cover makes sense over an open cover
What single shipment marine cargo insurance covers
How the placement process works
Common scenarios where single shipment cover is used
Project cargo and oversized shipment considerations
How Voyage arranges single shipment cover
Frequently asked questions

When Single Shipment Cover Makes Sense

Not every business needs an annual open cover. Single shipment insurance exists for consignments that fall outside a regular programme, or for businesses that do not ship frequently enough to warrant a standing facility.

Situation	Why Single Shipment Is the Right Structure
Fewer than 10 shipments per year	The volume does not justify an annual facility. Per-shipment placement is more practical and avoids committing to a programme you will not fully use.
One-off or irregular shipments	A machinery purchase, a trade show exhibit, a contract fulfilment outside your normal corridors. These do not fit neatly into an existing open cover scope.
Project cargo	Large, heavy, or oversized consignments requiring specialist survey, bespoke packing, and tailored coverage terms that differ from your standard programme.
New trade corridor testing	You are shipping to a market for the first time and want coverage for the trial consignment before committing to a facility for that route.
Shipments outside your open cover scope	Your existing facility covers specific commodities or routes. A consignment outside those parameters needs separate placement.
No existing cargo insurance programme	You have never arranged marine cargo insurance and need coverage for an immediate shipment. Single shipment is the starting point.
Buyer or LC requirement on a specific consignment	A buyer or issuing bank requires evidence of marine cargo insurance for a particular shipment, and you do not have a standing facility to draw on.

Single Shipment vs Open Cover

The parent page covers this comparison in detail. The short version:

Factor	Single Shipment	Open Cover
Frequency	Occasional (fewer than 10 per year)	Regular (10+ per year)
Coverage activation	Must be arranged before each shipment	Automatic on every qualifying shipment
Per-shipment cost	Higher rate per consignment	Lower rate due to volume commitment
Admin	Individual application per shipment	Monthly declaration (bordereaux)
Flexibility	Each placement can be tailored to the specific consignment	Terms are standardised across all shipments
Risk of gaps	Higher: if you do not arrange cover, the shipment is uninsured	Minimal: coverage is automatic

If you are making more than 10 international shipments per year with consistent commodities and routes, an open cover is almost certainly more efficient. → Learn more about open cover marine cargo insurance

What Single Shipment Cover Includes

Single shipment marine cargo insurance uses the same Institute Cargo Clauses as an open cover. The coverage is identical in scope. The difference is structural: one policy covers one consignment instead of a standing facility covering all shipments.

Coverage Basis

Component	Detail
Standard form	Institute Cargo Clauses (A) 2009: all-risks cover for physical loss or damage except specific exclusions
Transit scope	Warehouse-to-warehouse, from origin to final destination, including loading, unloading, transhipment, and intermediate storage
Transit clause	Clause 8 of ICC (A) 2009. Coverage terminates on delivery to the destination warehouse, or 60 days after discharge from the overseas vessel at the final port, whichever occurs first
Insured value	Typically CIF + 10%, or agreed value based on invoice, replacement cost, or contract price
General average	Covers your proportional GA contribution under the York-Antwerp Rules, plus salvage charges
Both to Blame Collision	Indemnifies you against liability under Both to Blame Collision clauses in the contract of carriage (ICC (A) Clause 3)

Standard Exclusions (ICC (A) 2009)

Exclusion	Clause Reference
War, civil war, hostile acts, capture, seizure	Clause 6
Strikes, labour disturbances, riots, terrorism	Clause 7
Inherent vice or nature of the goods	Clause 4.4
Delay, even if caused by a covered peril	Clause 4.5
Insolvency of carrier (if known to assured)	Clause 4.6
Insufficiency of packing by the assured	Clause 4.3
Ordinary leakage, loss in weight, wear and tear	Clause 4.2
Deliberate damage by the assured	Clause 4.7
Nuclear weapons or reactions	Clause 4.8

Available Extensions

Extension	What It Covers	Notes
War risk	Institute War Clauses (Cargo) CL385. War, civil war, hostile acts, capture, seizure, weapons of war.	Waterborne only: attaches on loading aboard the overseas vessel, terminates on discharge or 15 days after arrival. Cancellable by insurer with 7 days' notice (Lloyd's).
Strikes	Institute Strikes Clauses (Cargo) CL386. Strikers, labour disturbances, riots, civil commotions, terrorism.	Warehouse-to-warehouse duration, same as standard ICC.
War risk additional premium	Charged per shipment for transits through JWC listed areas.	Priced separately from base cargo rate. Rates are volatile and subject to change at short notice.

How Single Shipment Placement Works

Unlike open cover, where terms are agreed once and coverage is automatic, single shipment insurance requires a placement for each consignment. The process is straightforward but must be completed before the cargo moves.

Step	What Happens	Timing
1. Shipment details	You provide the consignment specifics: commodity, value, origin, destination, conveyance, packing, and any special requirements.	As soon as the shipment is confirmed
2. Quotation	Voyage approaches underwriters with the risk and obtains terms: rate, conditions, and any special clauses or warranties.	Typically 1 to 3 working days for standard cargo. Longer for project cargo or unusual risks.
3. Binding	You confirm acceptance. Coverage is bound.	Before goods leave the origin warehouse
4. Policy and certificate	Your policy document and insurance certificate are issued. The certificate can be made assignable for LC or trade finance purposes.	Issued on binding or within 24 hours
5. Transit	Your cargo moves. Coverage is active from the moment goods leave the origin warehouse.	During transit
6. Arrival and expiry	Coverage terminates on delivery to the destination warehouse, or per the transit clause time limits.	On completion of the voyage

The critical timing point: coverage must be bound before the cargo leaves the origin warehouse. Arranging insurance after goods are already in transit limits your options and may result in coverage being unavailable or restricted.

Who Needs Single Shipment Cover

Audience	Why Single Shipment Works
Occasional exporters	You ship a few times a year. The volume does not justify an open cover, but each consignment still represents significant financial exposure.
Project cargo shippers	One-off movements of heavy machinery, industrial equipment, or construction materials. Each shipment has unique characteristics requiring tailored terms.
Companies without existing cargo insurance	You have been shipping without insurance and need coverage for an immediate consignment. Single shipment is the entry point.
Buyers on FOB or FCA terms	You have purchased goods where risk transfers to you at the point of shipment. Your supplier's insurance does not cover your interest beyond that point.
Sellers on CIF or CIP terms	Your sales contract requires you to arrange insurance. Under Incoterms 2020, CIF requires ICC (C) minimum; CIP requires ICC (A) minimum. Single shipment cover meets these obligations per consignment.
Exhibitors and event shippers	Goods moving to and from trade shows, exhibitions, or events. Specialist items that need coverage for the round trip.
Open cover holders with out-of-scope shipments	You have an existing facility but need to ship a commodity, route, or value that falls outside your agreed terms. Separate single shipment placement covers the gap.

When Do You Need Single Shipment Cover

Trigger	What to Do
You have a confirmed shipment and no cargo insurance	Contact Voyage with the shipment details immediately. Coverage must be bound before goods leave the origin warehouse.
Your buyer requires evidence of insurance	A certificate issued under a single shipment policy satisfies buyer insurance clauses and LC documentary requirements.
You are shipping outside your open cover scope	If the commodity, route, or value exceeds your facility terms, arrange separate single shipment cover for that consignment.
You are moving project cargo or oversized goods	These shipments typically require survey, bespoke packing specifications, and tailored policy terms. Start the placement early.
You are testing a new trade corridor	Single shipment cover lets you insure the trial consignment without committing to a facility you may not use again.
Your shipment transits a high-risk area	Consignments through piracy zones, theft-prone corridors, or conflict-affected regions need war risk and strikes extensions placed per transit.

Common Single Shipment Scenarios

Scenario 1: Industrial Equipment, Penang to Hamburg

A Malaysian engineering firm sells a custom packaging line to a German manufacturer. Single consignment on flat racks and in crates, shipped breakbulk alongside standard containers. The equipment is unique and cannot be replaced off the shelf.

Component	Detail
Commodity	Custom industrial packaging machinery
Shipment value	$1,200,000
Trade terms	CIF Hamburg
Conveyance	Sea freight, breakbulk and containerised
Coverage	ICC (A) + War + Strikes
Special requirements	Pre-shipment survey, bespoke packing specification, agreed value basis
Key risks	Handling damage during loading and discharge, moisture exposure during ocean transit, mechanical derangement

Scenario 2: Exhibition Goods, Kuala Lumpur to Dubai and Return

A Malaysian jewellery manufacturer ships a display collection to a trade exhibition in Dubai. The goods travel by air, are exhibited for five days, and return by air. Coverage is needed for the full round trip including the exhibition period.

Component	Detail
Commodity	Gold and gemstone jewellery (exhibition collection)
Shipment value	$350,000
Trade terms	Not applicable (own goods, round trip)
Conveyance	Air freight, both directions
Coverage	ICC (A) + War + Strikes + exhibition period extension
Special requirements	Coverage during exhibition (static risk), return transit, secure handling and storage
Key risks	Theft, handling damage, loss during exhibition setup and breakdown

Scenario 3: Commodity Purchase, FOB Port Klang

A Singaporean trading house buys 500 MT of crude palm oil on FOB Port Klang terms. Under Incoterms 2020, risk transfers to the buyer once goods are placed on board the vessel. The buyer needs coverage from that point through to discharge and onward delivery to the refinery.

Component	Detail
Commodity	Crude palm oil in flexitanks
Shipment value	$425,000
Trade terms	FOB Port Klang
Conveyance	Sea freight
Coverage	ICC (A) + War + Strikes
Declaration	Single shipment
Key risks	Leakage, contamination, temperature variation, tank failure

Scenario 4: Construction Materials, Johor Bahru to East Africa

A building materials supplier ships a container of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware to Dar es Salaam for a hotel construction project. First shipment to this corridor. The supplier does not have an open cover.

Component	Detail
Commodity	Ceramic tiles and sanitary ware
Shipment value	$65,000
Trade terms	CIF Dar es Salaam
Conveyance	Sea freight, containerised
Coverage	ICC (A) + War + Strikes
Key risks	Breakage, handling damage, pilferage at port, extended transit time

Project Cargo and Oversized Shipments

Project cargo sits at one end of the single shipment spectrum: high-value, complex, and often irreplaceable consignments that require specialist handling from survey through to delivery.

Characteristic	What It Means for Coverage
High individual values	Per-shipment limits may be significantly higher than standard cargo. Underwriters assess each placement individually.
Bespoke packing	Packing specifications are critical to underwriter acceptance. Inadequate packing is an exclusion under ICC (A) Clause 4.3. Pre-shipment survey may be required.
Specialist conveyance	Flat racks, open tops, heavy-lift vessels, RoRo, and multi-modal combinations. The conveyance type affects the risk profile and underwriter appetite.
Extended transit periods	Project cargo often involves longer transit times, multiple handling stages, and extended intermediate storage. Transit clause time limits (Clause 8) need to be reviewed and potentially extended.
Installation risk	Standard marine cargo cover terminates at the destination warehouse. If your contract includes installation, you may need an extension to cover the installation period. This is not standard under ICC.
Survey requirements	Underwriters may require pre-shipment survey by an approved surveyor to verify packing quality, securing, and loading before coverage attaches.
Agreed value basis	For unique or irreplaceable equipment, the insured value is agreed before transit rather than calculated on CIF + 10%. This avoids disputes over valuation at the time of a claim.

Project cargo placements take longer than standard single shipment cover. Allow at least two to four weeks for survey, underwriter review, and binding. Start the placement process as early as possible.

How Voyage Arranges Single Shipment Cover

Shipment Assessment: You provide the consignment details: commodity, value, packing, origin, destination, conveyance, trade terms, and any special characteristics. For project cargo, this includes packing plans, photographs, and transport engineering specifications.

Risk Presentation: We present the shipment to underwriters with the right appetite for your commodity and corridor. Standard cargo placements go to our panel. Specialist or high-value consignments go to the market where appropriate capacity exists.

Terms and Binding: We obtain terms, explain any conditions or warranties, and bind coverage once you confirm. Policy and certificate issued before the cargo moves.

Specialist Extensions: War risk, strikes, exhibition extensions, installation risk, and other add-ons placed alongside the standard cover as needed.

Claims Support: If something goes wrong during transit, we guide you through notification, documentation, survey coordination, and the claims process from first report to settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is single shipment marine cargo insurance?

Single shipment cover is a marine cargo insurance policy covering one consignment for one voyage. It provides the same coverage as an open cover (typically ICC (A) with war and strikes extensions) but is arranged individually for a specific shipment rather than as part of an annual facility.

How far in advance do I need to arrange single shipment cover?

Coverage must be bound before goods leave the origin warehouse. For standard cargo, allow one to three working days from providing full shipment details. For project cargo or unusual risks, allow two to four weeks. Starting earlier gives you more options and avoids last-minute coverage gaps.

Is single shipment cover more expensive than open cover?

Yes, on a per-shipment basis. Open cover rates reflect a volume commitment over the policy year, which earns better pricing. Single shipment rates are higher because the underwriter is pricing a single exposure with no portfolio spread. If you ship regularly, an open cover is typically more cost-effective.

Can I get a single shipment policy for air freight?

Yes. Single shipment cover applies to all conveyance types: sea, air, road, rail, or any combination. For air freight, Institute Cargo Clauses (Air) may apply alongside or instead of the standard ICC (A), depending on the placement.

Does single shipment cover include war risk?

Not automatically. War and strikes are excluded from all versions of the Institute Cargo Clauses (Clause 6 and Clause 7 respectively). You need separate extensions: Institute War Clauses (Cargo) CL385 and Institute Strikes Clauses (Cargo) CL386. These are placed alongside your single shipment policy.

What documents do I need to arrange single shipment cover?

At minimum: a description of the commodity, the shipment value, origin and destination, conveyance type, and expected shipping date. For project cargo, you may also need packing plans, photographs, transport engineering reports, and Bill of Lading details. The more detail you provide upfront, the faster the placement.

Can I insure a return shipment under the same policy?

A standard single shipment policy covers one voyage in one direction. A round trip (such as exhibition goods travelling to an event and back) requires either two separate placements or a single policy with a return transit extension. Voyage can arrange either structure.

What happens if my shipment is delayed and arrives after the policy expires?

The transit clause (Clause 8 of ICC (A) 2009) provides for continuation of cover in the event of delay, deviation, or variation of the voyage beyond the assured's control. Coverage continues until delivery to the destination warehouse, subject to time limits (typically 60 days after discharge from the vessel at the final port). Prolonged delays may require an extension.

Why Voyage for Single Shipment Marine Cargo

Single shipment cover exists for the consignments that do not fit into a standing facility: the one-off machinery movement, the trial shipment to a new market, the project cargo that needs bespoke terms. Each of these represents concentrated financial exposure on a single voyage. Arranging coverage is straightforward, but it must happen before the cargo moves.

Voyage arranges single shipment marine cargo insurance for consignments of any size, commodity, and corridor, including project cargo and specialist placements that require individual underwriting.

Disclaimer: This page provides general guidance on single shipment marine cargo insurance. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by insurer, policy, and jurisdiction. Rates and premium indications are illustrative and do not constitute offers of coverage. Always review your specific policy wording and consult a qualified insurance professional before making coverage decisions.

Our Solutions

Solution	Description
Marine Cargo Insurance	Overview of marine cargo coverage, who needs it, and how Voyage works with cargo owners.
Open Cover Marine Cargo	Annual facility covering all shipments. Automatic coverage, monthly declarations, consistent terms.
Specialist & High-Value Transit	Coverage for precious goods, project cargo, temperature-sensitive shipments, and consignments that standard platforms decline.
Marine Liability Insurance	Freight forwarder's liability, cargo legal liability, and E&O cover for logistics providers.

Insights on Single Shipment Cover

Practical guidance on insuring individual consignments, project cargo, and ad hoc shipments.

Let's Talk About Your Shipment

If you have a consignment that needs marine cargo insurance, whether a one-off shipment, project cargo, or a consignment outside your existing programme, we can arrange coverage tailored to that specific movement.

Voyage is a specialist marine cargo insurance platform arranging coverage for goods in transit worldwide. All insurance is arranged through licensed broking partners. Voyage is not an insurer. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by insurer, policy, and jurisdiction.

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Why Voyage

Marine Insurance Specialists

This is all we do. Marine cargo, marine liability, and marine hull insurance, not side products bolted onto a general insurance portfolio. Our team understands how marine coverage is structured, priced, and placed at every level of the chain.

International Underwriter Access

We place coverage with international underwriters across the London market, Lloyd's syndicates, and regional insurers. Marine cargo can be arranged on a non-admitted basis in most jurisdictions, giving you access to global capacity from Malaysia and Singapore.

Both Sides of the Supply Chain

Most marine insurance intermediaries serve either cargo owners or logistics providers. We work with both, which means we understand the complete picture: where the cargo owner's coverage ends, where the forwarder's liability begins, and where the gaps sit between them. That perspective means fewer coverage gaps and faster identification of exposures on both sides.

Malaysia and Singapore Expertise

We know these markets. Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Penang, Singapore's container terminals and consolidation hubs: these are not abstract trade corridors to us. We structure coverage around the routes, commodities, and logistics infrastructure that Malaysian and Singaporean businesses actually use.

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