Freight Forwarder Sold Cargo Over Exporter’s Objections, Complaint Says
Texas-based freight forwarder Sealink International (SLI) illegally sold the cargo of California-based exporter Triple L Global (TLG) to an unknown buyer without permission and without the required 10-day written notice, TLG alleged in a complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission this week.
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SLI informed TLG in May that it had the right to sell the cargo to cover its costs after one of the containers booked with a shipping company was misdeclared as non-hazardous when it should have been described as hazardous. TLG denied that it misdeclared any cargo and objected to SLI selling the cargo.
While trying to resolve the matter, TLG learned in July that its cargo had been sold, causing it to feel "betrayed and taken advantage of" by SLI. "Respondent Sealink has demonstrated the most flagrant breach of a fiduciary duty owed to complainant," TLG said.
TLG seeks “reparations” from SLI, including the lost value of the sold cargo, the lost profit, interest and attorney fees. SLI had no immediate comment on the 15-page complaint.