No compensation for BIFA members after Felixstowe disruption

Freight forwarders that encountered operational damage and additional costs due to disrupted operations at port of Felixstowe, after a new operating system was introduced in June, have been warned that they are unlikely to receive compensation from the port’s owners.

It is “very disappointing that it [the port authority] is not even prepared to discuss any kind of compensation for such a failure in customer service,” said British International Freight Association director general Robert Keen.

“The port authority has made it clear to us that it does not consider BIFA members to be direct customers of the port and would not be willing to have a discussion about possible compensation for the damage caused and the increased costs that have been incurred by those members.”

The only companies that might receive any compensation are shipping lines said Keen.