Wheat-a-mix up of port costs

A mistake in the calculation of port dues for two pro forma invoices happened when a ship agent incorrectly used the cheaper rate for malt, instead of that for wheat. The cargoes of wheat were discharged from two ships and the final invoices for port dues were sent out, before the error was discovered.

The difference between the invoiced port dues and the correct port dues for the first ship was EUR 9,000 whilst the difference between these two rates for the second ship was EUR 5,000. The owner refused to make up the shortfall because, relying on what they had been told, the owner had on-charged the lower amount to the charterer.

The claim was settled by ITIC.

Even small value errors such as this put pressure on commercial relationships. Attention to detail is important.