Category Archives: Ports

US shipper launches $270k D&D claim against carrier and terminal operator

Demurrage and Detention (D&D) charges are commonplace in ocean container shipping. Standard contracts specify a number of days the container may stay in the yer without charge. When the port doesn’t transfer a container within the time limit, the shipper is liable.

The FMC (Federal Maritime Commission) is right now looking into whether ocean carriers and ports are unfairly adding D&D charges to shippers’ bills. Many shippers have been complaining for months that this is happening. But this is the first time one of them has sued the carrier and port, making the dispute public. We’ll now find out, through the court case, the exact sequence of events and the times involved.

The costs for D&D that aren’t in the contract are a complete surprise to the shipper, and come right out of thier profits. Read the story to see what the claims are.

By Nick Savvides 15/09/2021

US shipper launches $270k D&D claim against carrier and terminal operator – The Loadstar

Great Lakes welcomes regular dedicated liner service

YOu can now have service from Cleveland to Antwerp, Belgium, Europe on a dedicated container ship. It’s not a large one– 869 teu (twenty-foot equivalent units, half of a normal-40 foot ocean container). But it provides a link for Mid-American businesses that avoids using either coast. Antwerp is a major European port.

One of the risks in this trade is the two-month closure of the St Lawrence river locks for maintenance each year. If your goods will be trapped, there is a free-trade zone (FTZ) at Cleveland so you won’t have to pay duty on your detained cargo– it won’t actually be landed yet.

Previously the firm running it, Spliethoff, moved some container trade using a multipurpose ship.

People have been trying to revive the Great Lakes ship trade for a long time. We will see if this gambit works. It looks like Spliethoff has thought through a lot of the problems and brought solutions for some customers.

Sam Chambers September 13, 2021

Great Lakes welcomes regular dedicated liner service – Splash247

Cheers to that! Heineken first customer for zero-emission inland vessel

It’s fitting that a beer company would be the first customer for an electric ship on inland canals.

The ship is unique, because it uses rcontgainers of rechargable batteries as power. The containers can be swapped at either end of the voyage to renew the power source.

Inland waterway traffic in Europe is very important to reduce the level of pollution fom trucks. Most EU countries have set goals to increase the amount of inland waterway barge traffic, to reduce the trucks on the road. This vessel is even better, since it does not generate any emissions at all, whereas a diesel barge would generate some.

Hope they get more of them!

7 September 2021 Port Technology International Team

Cheers to that! Heineken first customer for zero-emission inland vessel – Port Technology International