New digital solution can help shippers prevent exorbitant demurrage/detention fees in times of Covid-19
Forwarders, shippers, and importers have long complained about unreasonable demurrage and detention charges. However, the issue has ballooned in recent months as the coronavirus pandemic is heavily distorting cargo flows.
The combination of blanked sailings due to a lack of critical mass of cargo, and social lockdowns, which slow down the ports’ ability to unload and clear containers, has resulted in exorbitant demurrage and detention charges. Containers are either stuck at the terminals or it is impossible to return empty containers due to the already congested terminal.
Dockflow, a Belgian start-up focused on developing digital solutions for freight forwarders and shippers, has experienced this first hand with their customers.