I REFER to the letter 'Why do lines abrogate responsibility for delays' (FTW November 26, 1999) and can honestly agree that this is true, not only for this kind of problem, but also for delays in shipment, transhipment, diversions, not calling ports etc.
What I would have suggested to the writer was that he confirm right from the beginning the client's labour arrangements etc. If this was done, did he put the line on notice right from the original carrier haulage instruction (which I seldom if ever use)? If so, I believe he has all the right to pursue with a claim. If not, I would write this down to
an expensive experience and be more careful with clients' requirements before carrier haulage instructions are sent out. The client upon production of a S.Instr to the C & F agent, should also be responsible for putting this as a special instruction. If they did not, the client is also partly to blame.
It would be interesting to know what he did in fact do on instructions.
Maria Lombard
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