FMC Dismisses Demurrage Complaint Against Zim
A Federal Maritime Commission small claims officer on July 14 dismissed a demurrage-related complaint against ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, saying Oregon-based exporter Bridgewell Agribusiness had no contractual relationship with the Israeli ocean carrier.
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Bridgewell, also known as Agribusiness Holdings Ltd. Partnership, had sought a refund of $49,400 in demurrage charges that ZIM imposed on cargo it shipped from the U.S. to Vietnam in 2022. The complaint claims ZIM violated the Shipping Act by failing to give Bridgewell the required invoices for the charges. Despite not receiving the invoices, Bridgewell said it paid the charges to ensure the release of its cargo.
But in a 31-page decision, the FMC officer said ZIM was not required to give those invoices to Bridgewell because Bridgewell’s transportation contract was with non-vessel operating common carrier Hecny Transportation, not ZIM. Hecny hired ZIM to ship the cargo, and ZIM "appropriately" provided the invoices to Hecny, the officer said.
Bridgewell and ZIM didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision.