The intention behind marine insurance contracts is to cover the discharge of insured cargo at a port of distress.
The latter term refers to any port, short of destination and within sight of the intended port of discharge, at which the carrier discharges the cargo because the ship has encountered problems that prevent her from continuing the transit of the goods.
When the cargo arrives at its destination, it may be difficult to determine whether the forced discharge caused the loss or damage.
For example, it could have occurred during reloading, onward carriage, or unloading at the final port of discharge. Evidence must demonstrate that the loss or damage is reasonably attributed to discharge at the port of distress.