SHIPPERS and forwarders are united against carriers and
marine terminal operators over the US Federal Maritime Commission's (FMC)
intention to ease demurrage and detention American ports.
The US Federal Maritime Commission said it will
"expeditiously" review the conflicting industry comments
filed for its proposed interpretive rule under the Shipping Act.
Both sides say they are penalised in different ways,
shippers by having trucks arrive, but unable retrieve containers and being
charged for overstaying, while carriers and terminal operators say they being
deprived of the means of fining shippers for overstaying.
"Exporters and truckers are going to support this
and urge the commission to adopt the proposed rule as is," said AgTC
executive director Peter Friedmann. "The rulemaking shed some
light on how difficult it has been for shippers and their truckers to challenge
the demurrage and detention fees."
Ocean
carriers and marine terminals commonly assess US$150 to $300 demurrage and
detention fees against shippers whose truckers are unable to pick up or drop
off their containers within the allotted free-time windows.
But carrier lobby World Shipping Council president John Butler
said: "The commission oversimplifies the purpose of demurrage and
detention. The charge incentivises the movement of a shipping container.
"With no analysis of the regulatory impact, the
commission prescribes sweeping new standards that would make ocean carriers
financially responsible for circumstances beyond their control, impose
significant regulatory costs on carriers in order to comply with those standards,
and greatly increase the potential for unproductive disputes and costly
litigation," he said in his brief.
Source : HKSG.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar