730 - 12/10 - Containerisation Transport of Perishables without refrigeration - USA focus

The Association has noticed that Members have been moving more perishable commodities in the US and Canada in non refrigerated equipment. These commodities include cocoa butter, potatoes, onions and liquid cargoes subject to atmospheric temperatures such as wine and beer. These commodities could melt in the summer months (cocoa butter) or freeze in the winter months (beer and wine).

Shippers are requesting clauses on bills of lading to protect themselves and push more of the risk to the ocean carriers. Clauses such as stow below deck and away from boilers should not be allowed on a bill of lading. If such clauses are accepted by the carrier and placed on the bill of lading, the carrier becomes liable for damage if the containers are stowed below deck near a boiler. We will look at individual commodities and give advice on how to accept these commodities.

COCOA BUTTER

Cocoa butter is very susceptible to melting due to high atmospheric temperatures during the summer months and should be carried in refrigerated containers. Shippers looking to save money on freight charges have been shipping this commodity in dry boxes and filing claims against the carrier when the product suffers heat damage.

We recommend that the carriers do not accept any clauses on the bill of lading that make reference to stowing the cargo away from heat sources such as boilers. By not allowing a clause on the bill of lading, the line can deny liability for cargo melting damage as long as the shippers seal is intact and there are no visible damages to the container.

We further recommend that while the carrier is under no legal obligation to protect the cargo from melting, it is good customer service for the carrier to take reasonable precautions to protect the cargo from heat sources such as stowing the container above deck in center stow to protect the cargo from exposure to the sun.

The below photograph shows damage that can occur when a container is stowed near a heat source. This container incurred a 40,000 claim which the carrier had no defense due to a clause was placed on the bill of lading.