System overload

It is important that Members ensure that their systems can cope with the pressures upon them. A liner company introduced a system for worldwide container control. The Member was one of their agents and a single terminal was installed in their office. There was unfortunately a slump in demand for the line’s Far East service and during a six month period an unusually large number of leased containers were landed at the agent’s home port for redelivery. The two staff members charged with sending messages to the computerised control system were overwhelmed. Entries in relation to about a 1,000 leased containers were not made. The containers therefore remained on hire from their leasing companies and in storage at the principal’s expense. The principal claimed substantial damages from the agent as a result.