300 tonnes of meat powder left at port

Fifteen containers with more than 300 tonnes of meat powder from Malaysia have remained at HCM City’s Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Port for the last three years without any claim of ownership, causing a headache for port managers.

The containers arrived at the port in September 2007 and by now, US$17,000 in storage fees have been racked up but the port’s authority – the Sai Gon Port Company – did not know who to charge for the outstanding fees, said deputy head of the company’s Sales Department Dao Van Tuan.

He added the unclaimed containers occupied much needed space, which prevented the port from being able to easily store cargo containers, especially at busy times when there was an increased demand for storage.

According to port statistics, the containers arrived at the port under a contract between HCM City-based Chim En Ltd Co and the Malaysian-based Sin Soon Huat Sdn Bhn Company.

However, Chim En Company refused to accept the meat powder after discovering it had failed to meet the standards outlined in the contract.

Early in 2008, the buyer had the right to cancel the contract and that the goods should be taken back, and fees paid by the Malaysian supplier.

A representative from the company said it had made extraordinary efforts to contact its Malaysian partner.

Port officer Tuan said they could not resolved the problem because they had yet to receive any legal documentation from the Malaysian owner.

“As soon as the owner officially admits it will not accept the goods, the port can treat the 300 tonnes as abandoned goods,” said Tuan.

He said his company had also reported the case to higher authorities including the HCM City Customs Department and the Viet Nam Customs early this year but still awaited a response.

The meat powder, which can be used in animal feed, had been stored in containers for three years, and likely to have spoiled, posing an environmental health risk, Tuan said.

The port had considered destroying the meat powder but each container would cost VND150-180 million ($7,800-9,500) to dispose of. — VNS

Tags: meat powder