Storage wars

In respect of a voyage charter, the charterer nominated an ITIC member as the discharge port agent.

The charterer asked the agent to confirm storage costs for the cargo up to such time when the consignee was to collect the cargo.

The cargo was not one the agent frequently worked with so they misread the applicable tariff and advised clearance included a 90 day storage period whereas in reality it was only 30 days with a daily charge thereafter.

The charterer, as a trader, agreed the sale price on the basis of the information provided by the agent.

When it later transpired that the charterer had to bear unforeseen storage costs which they could not pass on to the buyer, the charterer made a claim against the agent.

There was no defence available so ITIC paid the full claim of EUR 30,000.