Regardless of the transit, once a consignor hands over the consignment to the shipping company's agent, the shipper has no control over the safety of the consignment. It is the master and crew of the vessel who have physical possession of the consignment. After the consignment is positioned in the holds of the ship, even they have no control over it. Hence the safety of the consignment largely depends on the way the consignment is stacked, seaworthiness and fitness of the vessel.