Over the past few months we have noticed that a growing number of customers are leaving it very late to book their cargo. The percentage of export collections we now receive with less than 24 hours notice is, for certain sailings, quite alarming. These late bookings (cargo booked day one for collection day two) are putting a lot of stress on our operation and generating extraordinary costs. Unfortunately, our margins are now such that we can no longer absorb these additional costs, and we need to recover them if we do not receive a minimum 48 hours notice to arrange a collection.
Besides, most cargo moving under Service Contracts contract include the following clause 7 paragraphs (c) and (d):
7 - SERVICE COMMITMENT (NON-PERFORMANCE) CLAUSE
(a) During the term of this Contract, the Carrier will provide vessel space sufficient to carry the Minimum Quantity Commitment. Upon fulfillment of the Minimum Quantity Commitment by the Shipper, acceptance of any additional cargo tendered by the Shipper under the terms of this Contract shall be at the option of the Carrier.
(b) Should the Carrier fail to provide space sufficient to carry the Minimum Quantity Commitment, the Shipper's remedy shall be as set forth in Clause 10 b.
(c) Shipper agrees to give fourteen days booking notice, if possible, but not less than seven days, to the Carrier for any Contract shipments.
(d) Booking acceptance is subject to equipment availability.
We estimate the additional cost for accepting such late bookings is on average £155 per container. Please be mindful that we are not attempting to add another cost to your supply chain. We are simply kindly requesting that you give us a minimum 48 hour notice to arrange a simple export collection. As a guide, we wish to have export bookings in by Monday 4 PM for collections on Wednesday (cargo booked day one for collection day three). We may be able to and will continue to try to arrange export collections on shorter notice, providing these remain the exception and not the rule.
We wish to take advantage of this opportunity to remind our customers that when we receive a general rate enquiry, our rate proposal is always based on our standard mode of transport and standard route. Specific service requirements such (as but not limited to) collections outside business hours, week-end collections, drop and pull, special documentation and transit via a different port must be highlighted at the time a quote is requested.
Any requests to deviate from the standard mode of transport or route generate additional costs that we have to recover.
We thank you for your attention and co-operation. Should you have any question regarding this notice, please contact your Area Sales Manager or local Customer Service Centre.
