The Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Limited (HAFFA) has voiced outrage at the handling of the situation resulting from the receivership of Hanjin Shipping.
´As earlier reported by CargoForwarderGlobal, Hanjin Shipping Line, the world's seventh-largest container line and sister company of Korean Air Lines, both owned by CEO and chairman Cho Yang-ho,
earlier this month filed for bankruptcy protection.
In a statement, HAFFA said: “no clear and official written information to forwarders/shippers/importers has been forthcoming from Hanjin and container terminal operators on pick up of laden
containers in Hong Kong.”
HAFFA added that: “compounding the situation is that some container terminal operators are charging additional extortionate administration and deposit fees, and cancelling the free demurrage
asking for an overtime storage fee to release inbound containers.” The association has meanwhile advised its members to “to seek counsel from their legal representatives and insurers without
delay.”
Calling for close industrial cooperation
HAFFA chairman and senior vice president at A-Sonic Logistics, Cliff Sullivan said: “The critical situation with Hanjin Shipping has been so badly mismanaged by some container terminal operators,
that it could have a potentially devastating impact upon many of our members with these unreasonable charges. We call for the entire industry to cooperate together to overcome the current
situation. This is time for close communication within the industry in order to locate and retrieve cargo as a matter of urgency,” Sullivan added.
Nol van Fenema
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