Label liable

A port agent in the Middle East was appointed by a Line to assist in the discharge of 94 containers.

Subsequently the port authorities levied a fine of US$ 333 per container as they did not have the correct IMCO labels for the cargo being carried in the name of the agent.

The agent requested that the Line take responsibility for the fine and settle the dues with the port authorities directly. Unfortunately, following lengthy discussions the Line would not respond claiming that the containers were correctly labelled and that as this was a Government cargo the port authority should claim against the ministry of defence.

Due to the military nature of the cargo no pictures were allowed to be taken at the time of discharge, leaving the agent unable to prove the Line’s argument.

As this matter was a fine levied by a port authority the claim was covered by ITIC and paid in full in the sum of US$ 30,561.