Always read the instructions

A reefer container of star fruit was booked for shipment from the Far East to northern Europe. The shipping instructions from the shipper and the booking confirmation from the shipping line, contained remarks “temp: +6c/ventilation 20% open”. Unfortunately, due to an error on the part of the staff at the liner agent in the load port, the reefer container list instruction for the eventual transportation of the container indicated that the ventilation should be “closed” rather than “20% open”. As a result, the cargo arrived in Europe in a damaged state and it was rejected. The shipping line negotiated the settlement of the cargo claim with cargo insurers.

The shipping line subsequently recovered the amount of USD 21,000 from the load port agent, whose negligence had caused the container to be transported with the incorrect ventilation arrangements. The claim was indemnified by ITIC.