In an amended complaint, the shipping firm said CEVA Logistics Inc. did not inform them of the nature of the cargo, which it said is in violation of their contractual and legal agreement.
This made CEVA a co-defendant in the P5.5-million damage suit that Sulpicio Lines had filed against food conglomerate Del Monte Philippines, the consignee of the toxic endosulfan cargo.
CEVA is the independent contractor hired by Del Monte for the transhipment of the cargo to Cagayan de Oro. The chemical will be used for its pineapple plantation.
The case is lodged before the Manila regional trial court. Sulpicio Lines’ counsel Arthur Lim said CEVA acted negligently in filling up the Pro-forma Bill of Lading and acted recklessly and with gross imprudence by not declaring the toxic cargo.
He also said CEVA acted with utter disregard for the safety rules for knowingly boarding a hazardous and toxic cargo for carriage by a passenger-cargo vessel.
“All evidence point to Ceva’s gross and evident bad faith, lack of care, irresponsibility and total disregard to safety and well-being of others,” the amended complaint said.
The shipping company claimed that it did not know endosulfan was toxic and considered a marine pollutant, and was only informed by Del Monte when it received a letter from the food company on June 25.
“Had the cargo been properly declared, plaintiff would have loaded it in one of its purely cargo vessel,” the complaint said. The discovery of the endosulfan cargo inside the MV Princess of the Stars, which sank on June 21 at the height of typhoon “Frank,” prompted authorities to stop operations to retrieve the sunken vessel’s more than 800 passengers and crewmembers who perished in the sinking. It also resulted to a fishing ban in the waters of Romblon, which aff ectedthe livelihood of many residents.
Electrolux extends Italian contract with CEVA
Electrolux Professional, a world leading supplier of professional food service and laundry equipment, has renewed and broadened its Italian distribution contract with CEVA Logistics, the latter announced recently.
Netherlands-based CEVA Logistics said the contract renewal would extend the transportation services provided to cover the whole of Italy, in addition to collection and direct delivery services to the end customer.
The agreement also entailed all other standard warehouse activities such as the reception of goods and checks on their integrity, product storage, the preparationof orders and the management of returns.
