Category Archives: Supply Chains

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

Posted on September 15, 2021 by | Leave a comment

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

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Posted in Logistics, Ports, Supply Chains

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Great Lakes welcomes regular dedicated liner service

Posted on September 13, 2021 by | 2 comments

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

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Posted in Logistics, Ports, Shipping, Supply Chains

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CMA CGM startles rivals by vowing to stop spot rate increases for coming five months

Posted on September 10, 2021 by | 2 comments

The third largest liner firm just one-upped other container lines by announcing a freeze in spot rates.

Of course they are at an all-time high. And Hapag-Lloyd, a smaller liner firm, said they had ‘already frozen rates’. But it’s a great piece of publicity.

It is a bit like a car manufacturer saying they will freeze the price of a car at the MSRP (sticker price). No one tries to pay that anyway.

Sam Chambers September 10, 2021

CMA CGM startles rivals by vowing to stop spot rate increases for coming five months – Splash247

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Posted in Logistics, Shipping, Strategy, Supply Chains

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