Bank Accounts

Currently, electronic payments for OOCL invoices should be made to HSBC bank (DETAILS). We are aware of customers concerns that USD payments to HSBC may incur a cost, and are in the process of opening an additional new account with Garanti bank. We thank customers for their patience and understanding pending the setup of this extra account.

Invoices

It is OOCL policy to accept payments in the invoice currency only.

Our default invoice currency is USD, however we are happy to issue invoices in TL by prior arrangement. Should you wish to receive your invoices in TL as a standard instead of USD, please contact our Istanbul office who will be happy to make the necessary arrangements.

Charges quoted in foreign currency will be converted to the invoice currency using OOCL’s own rate of exchange. This is set per vessel in line with our global tariff rule (DETAILS).

Payments from Non-Credit Customers

We are happy to continue accepting cheque payments from non-credit customers, with value date “today” (i.e. not post-dated), which we will bank immediately. However, we are only willing to release Bills of Lading (export) or containers (import) upon receipt and availability of cleared funds into our bank account. Customers who require urgent releases are thus asked to make electronic payments directly into our bank instead of providing us with cheques.

Empty Equipment Releases for Exports

Customers will not be issued with a container number at the time the export booking is made. Instead, at the time of export booking, OOCL Turkey will provide a booking reference only. This should be quoted by the trucker at time of empty pickup to obtain the container. OOCL Turkey will pre-notify the depot that a container should be released upon quotation of this booking number, and the depot and container will be duly prepared. We are confident that this will speed up the booking process and make it more efficient for the benefit of all parties.

Special Rate and Surcharge Agreements

We are aware that Turkish customers may sometimes negotiate special surcharge or Demurrage/Detention terms. We wish to make clear that we will only agree to apply these terms to shipments rated with the corresponding ocean rate agreement or contract. In other words, special terms are linked to specific ocean rates, and will only apply for shipments rated with those ocean rates.

For example, a Turkish customer may negotiate special local surcharges and D&D terms for FOB shipments ex China as part of their ocean rate agreement. However, these terms will not be extended to CIF shipments ex Thailand to Turkey unless especially agreed between the party negotiating the freight and OOCL, and captured in the corresponding rate agreement or contract. Turkish customers who wish to benefit from special terms should ensure that these are discussed at the same time as the ocean freight by the cargo control party.

For further information on any of the above, please contact OOCL Istanbul where our staff will be delighted to assist.