Industry Insights

Please be advised that we are currently working on two claims involving fraudulent shipments of copper scrap imported from China. The containers in question were loaded with bricks instead of copper scrap. These are not isolated incidents as we have been advised by a Lloyd’s surveyor in China that there is a current scam operation being perpetrated in China. We strongly recommend that if you are asked to provide coverage for a shipment of copper of any kind (scrap, tubing, etc.) from China, please decline to do so. Additionally, we have heard of another fraudulent claim involving a shipment of […]

In honor of President’s Day, our offices will be closed on Monday, February 16th. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, February 17th. We recognize this patriotic day as a time to pay tribute to and celebrate our country’s great leaders. We wish everyone a safe and happy extended weekend!

More Than 70 Companies Declare Force Majeure on West Coast More than 70 trucking companies have sent letters to the Intermodal Association of North America and steamship lines declaring force majeure—that they won’t be able to fulfill contracts because of unforeseen circumstances, according to news from the Harbor Trucking Association reported by American Shipper. Truckers are being billed for enormous daily charges and demurrage fees for containers and chassis that are sitting waiting for loads or release as a result of congestion at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. Companies are facing hundreds of thousands of […]

The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) announced today that vessel operations will be suspended at U.S. West Coast ports. The seaports, which handle some $1 trillion in trade per year, will close on Thursday, 2/12; Saturday, 2/14; Sunday, 2/15; and Monday, 2/16. However, yard, gate and rail operations will continue at terminal operators’ discretion. According to American Shipper, PMA spokesman Wade Gates said the longshoremen are continuing slowdowns “that will soon bring West Coast ports to gridlock. What they’re doing amounts to a strike with pay, and we will reduce the extent to which we pay premium rates for such a […]

As west coast port disruption continues due to the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union labor dispute with the Pacific Maritime Association, shippers pay the price, and international transportation intermediaries need to be aware of potential liability exposures. These types of disruptions wreak havoc within the supply chain and the following consequences should be considered. 1. Accumulation: Cargo at rest is cargo at risk. Port disruption leads to cargo sitting in place on a ship, in the port, or in a warehouse facility awaiting pick-up, and the likelihood of damage or theft increases significantly as these delays mount. Shipper’s Interest Cargo Insurance […]

As of 2/5/2015, CBP reported 1,188 activity code 1 electronic Single Transaction Bonds (“eSTBs”) accepted in ACE. Of those bonds, there have been seven bond/entry matches in the system and 360 bonds have been voided. That leaves 821 eSTBs that possibly should have been paper. There are only two entry methods for which eSTBs are allowed, 1) ACE Cargo Release followed by ACE Entry Summary or 2) ACE Entry Summary Certified for ACE Cargo Release. A good rule to follow is that an eSTB is required for any entry fully processed in ACE. Any entry that is filed in ACS, even if the […]