A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) Line’s vessel owners have declared General Average amid the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) reported the news saying there is no indication of when or where M/S Dali would be berthed and unloaded, but this decision suggests that the owners expect the salvage operations to result in large exceptional expenses, which they expect all salvaged parties to contribute under General Average.
Richards Hogg Lindley (RHL) of London has been appointed as Maersk’s General Adjuster, and they have informed MSC that they intend to keep all containers, including MSC’s containers, under their control until security arrangements have been made with the Average Adjusters, both for General Average and Salvage.
READ: Port of Baltimore suspends traffic operations amid bridge collapse
An MSC official stated: “MSC very much regrets any inconvenience arising from this incident and will do the utmost to assist its customers to ensure the matter is handled as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
“We invite you to please relay this message and its attachments without delay to your cargo underwriters so that they can contact RHL rapidly and ensure prompt release and on carriage of your cargo to destination.”
Earlier this month, as part of a large recovery operation, officials created a temporary ship path near the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.
