Liability, awards and settlements

25.9, congestion, application for court order

Saudi Arabia: Saudi importers and businessmen filed an application to the Governor of Jeddah against Jeddah Port Authority, Customs officials and other cargo handling companies for slow and poor offloading and loading of containers into vessel. Importers alleged that Jeddah Port Authorities were deliberately charging demurrage and other fees on containers. They further pointed out that companies responsible for loading and unloading of containers were accepting containers only for two hours in a day, as a result of which, a large number of containers were piled up at the port. Importers also informed the Governor that due to container/vessel congestions at the port, a number of vessels were diverted to nearby ports. The application also noted here that during the holy month of Ramadan the working hours were reduced with its impacts on port working. Earlier, several ships had left the Jeddah Islamic Port after waiting for three or more days.