Chiquita Files Suit After Ship's Engine Failure Causes $3 Million in Spoiled Bananas
NEW YORK, NY – After an engine failure en route to the Mediterranean caused a delay of several weeks and resulted in tons of spoiled fruit, Chiquita has filed suit against the owners of the dallying ship to recoup $3 million dollars in damages.
The company filed suit in New York last month. Chiquita Brands International Sarl, its insurer Markel Corporation, and the ship’s time charterer Great White Fleet Ltd. claim that delays caused by M/V Scandinavian Reefer cost the company 10,098 boxes of bananas—valued at $3 million dollars. The complaint can be viewed in its entirety, here.
The vessel was scheduled to arrive in Gibraltar around May 3, 2016, and then proceed to Italy, Greece, and Turkey; but on April 21st of that year, a leaky engine cylinder caused the ship’s crew to shut down its engines. Unable to repair the cylinder, the ship diverted its route to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where Chiquita eventually attempted to salvage the rapidly-ripening cargo.
By the time the bananas were rerouted to Mersin, Turkey, in early June, a good portion of the cargo had spoiled. 10,098 boxes were rejected, and containerized bananas had to be returned to the Caribbean at the company’s expense.
Will the company recoup their costs? AndNowUKnow will continue to report with updates as they come forward.
