Livestock Supply & Market Guides
Shipping Live Livestock by Sea: Welfare, Loss and Insurance
Sea transport of live animals needs careful planning for animal welfare, handling, ventilation, feed, water and realistic sailing times. Insurance terms should be checked rather than assumed.
What to check before deciding
- Ask which vessel, loading point and destination are proposed, and whether the sailing is confirmed.
- Check the loading plan, animal space, ventilation, watering, feeding and care while waiting.
- Get insurance terms in writing: covered events, exclusions, limits and how a claim would be proved.
- Agree how counts and animal condition will be recorded before loading and at handover.
A common mistake
Insurance does not automatically cover every illness, delay, injury or loss, and a policy is not a substitute for safe handling.
Three simple steps
- Write the animal type, quantity, weight and delivery location.
- Check real availability, health requirements, paperwork and written costs.
- Do not confirm a purchase or send money without clear agreed terms.
What to do next
Ask RLB to clarify the route, who arranges transport and what insurance is actually available.
Important: import rules, routes, veterinary conditions and prices can change. Check current official requirements and a shipment-specific written quotation before payment or shipping.