Expansion Into Logistics - A Risky Business

Originally published in the December 2009 issue of Port Strategy.

Historically, ports provided traditional stevedoring and intermodal cargo-handling services to their customers whereby they loaded and unloaded ship cargo, transferred the cargo to any onward mode of transport and, perhaps, stored the cargo waiting for collection for onwards transport. Liabilities arising from such services were generally limited to claims in respect of damage or delay.

Typically, for example, an incident involving the collapse of a gantry crane would result in cargo interests bringing claims for damage caused to cargo and also any resulting penalties incurred under the relevant sale contracts if the vessel and/ or cargo operations are held up as repairs are made to the vessel or to shoreside equipment. Similarly claims might be made by the owners of the vessel if damage is caused during such an incident and the operators/charterers in respect of any lost time. Claims might also be