Importer recovers lost cargo costs

OAKLAND, Calif. — A food importer has recovered $1.1 million for a shipment that spoiled when refrigerated containers lost power during a delayed voyage.

The ship sat off port for nine days. By the time the containers were opened, the cargo was a total loss.

The dispute turned on whether the carrier or the importer bore the loss under the shipping terms.

Linmarrow Law used the containers' temperature logs to pinpoint when power failed and relied on the bill of lading's terms to show the risk sat with the carrier.

The carrier's insurer paid $1.1 million in a settlement reached in arbitration.

Arbitration records are private. Result.law reviewed a summary provided by the firm.

Shipping terms decide who carries risk at each step of a voyage, and trade lawyers advise reading them before a problem happens.