MAC remains committed to providing the best possible service to you protecting your business interests during the current COVID 19 pandemicwhich has created serious implications for logistics and transport conditions. We may be required to respond to developments that could not have been foreseen at the time of tendering, quoting and/or order acceptance due to rapidly changing conditions, restrictions, new regulations and measures taken by the governments world-wide.
Due to this extraordinary and exceptional situation it is necessary to inform you that:
i. The out-break of COVID-19 and the conditions, restrictions, new regulations and measures taken by the governments world-wideis regarded as a force majeure event/ situation that a carrier/freight forwarder is unlikely be held liable under the law for any loss/damage or delay resulting due to this as long as the carrier/freight forwarder has no mistake or negligent act on it. Under these circumstances, transportation and logistics service will be conducted at risk and responsibility of the customer, shipper, consignee, and the commodity’s owner. Therefore, marine cargo insurance is essential in coverage of any physical loss or damage of cargo.
ii. Shipping lines, airlines, rail carriers and truck operators have imposed surcharges and are changing payment terms before, after, or even during the commodity itinerary. Those expenses would be passed on to our customers; any additional costs arising from the circumstances, whereby we undertake to inform our customers immediately of any deviations from planned transport processes and cost changes. Nevertheless, we are working hard with our usual suppliers and carriers to minimise the impact to our customers.
iii. As new orders are subject to changed conditions (such as change of financial and fiscal policies, market conditions, traffic and route access), our offers are based on normal market and traffic conditions and unobstructed access routes. Any cost increases in connection with the current situation are not included in our offers and we reserve the right to change services accordingly, to modify tariffs and prices and to levy surcharges. Estimated delivery times are estimates only and are not agreed.
iv. The loading, unloading and delivery of the commodities could be impeded, the contracting party of the service according to terms and conditions of the purchase agreement, will be held responsible for costs and risks coming from those situations.
As we have always committed, we make our best efforts to protect the interests of our customers and we will keep you up to date at all times, in the event your cargo is affected in any way by the current situation.
All our services are conducted in accordance with the MAC’s Standard Trading Conditions based on the Standard Trading Conditions of Sri Lanka Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association. Your attention is specifically drawn to the limitations of liability in respect of loss or damage contained in our Standard Trading Conditions, which the link is given below. Customers should notify their own insurers to ensure that adequate insurance cover is in place in connection with any services provided by us.