THE US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) are bracing for disputes over container fees caused by routing cancellations in the wake of the Baltimore bridge collapse, reports New York's FreightWaves.
After the bridge collapsed, MSC advised customers that containers en route to the port would be diverted for unloading at alternate US east coast ports, and that the carriage contract would be declared terminated at that point.
Cargo booked on ships bound for the Port of Baltimore had estimated arrival dates throughout the month of April.
For containers booked for Baltimore but not yet loaded at origination ports, MSC told customers to declare whether they wanted their cargo to be carried to alternate ports.
Because MSC and other ocean carriers are cancelling inland transport as part of their Baltimore cargo, 'I'm sure we're going to have all sorts of issues,' said fmc Commissioner Carl Bentzel.
'Carriers may deviate to another port where there aren't as many chassis available, as was the case in Baltimore, so you could have issues on pickup and return of empty containers.
These dislocations could result in problems with detention and demurrage. There will be lots of work for the FMC, unfortunately,' he said.
The agency's new demurrage and detention rule, which goes into effect May 26, could help sort out disputes before they get too far along, Mr Bentzel said.
The rule establishes new requirements for how ocean carriers and terminal operators must bill for fees associated with late pickup and drop-off of containers at ports and intermodal facilities. It also clarifies who can be billed, the process for disputing late fees and billing time frames.
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After the bridge collapsed, MSC advised customers that containers en route to the port would be diverted for unloading at alternate US east coast ports, and that the carriage contract would be declared terminated at that point.
Cargo booked on ships bound for the Port of Baltimore had estimated arrival dates throughout the month of April.
For containers booked for Baltimore but not yet loaded at origination ports, MSC told customers to declare whether they wanted their cargo to be carried to alternate ports.
Because MSC and other ocean carriers are cancelling inland transport as part of their Baltimore cargo, 'I'm sure we're going to have all sorts of issues,' said fmc Commissioner Carl Bentzel.
'Carriers may deviate to another port where there aren't as many chassis available, as was the case in Baltimore, so you could have issues on pickup and return of empty containers.
These dislocations could result in problems with detention and demurrage. There will be lots of work for the FMC, unfortunately,' he said.
The agency's new demurrage and detention rule, which goes into effect May 26, could help sort out disputes before they get too far along, Mr Bentzel said.
The rule establishes new requirements for how ocean carriers and terminal operators must bill for fees associated with late pickup and drop-off of containers at ports and intermodal facilities. It also clarifies who can be billed, the process for disputing late fees and billing time frames.
SeaNews Turkey