Nigerian Company VS. Chinese Shipping Company Regarding Compensation for Lost Goods
Cotton cloth from Yantian to Nigeria disappeared from custody; the carrier denied liability over one original bill of lading. SuitWin China Law Firm secured $120,000 plus interest at the Guangzhou Maritime Court.
Facts
A Nigerian company purchased a batch of cotton cloth from a Shenzhen-based Chinese company. The goods were transported by a Chinese shipping company from Yantian Port in China to Ona Port in Nigeria.
The Chinese shipping company issued a straight bill of lading as the agent. The Nigerian company, listed as the consignee on the bill of lading and holding the original document, discovered the goods were missing upon presentation for delivery.
Dispute prior to litigation
The Nigerian company repeatedly communicated with the Chinese shipping company demanding compensation, but the Chinese shipping company refused to compensate for the loss on the grounds that the Nigerian company only held one original bill of lading, not the full set of original bills of lading.
Outcome
The Nigerian company entrusted SuitWin China Law Firm to handle this case. After trial by the Guangzhou Maritime Court, the Chinese shipping company was ultimately ordered to compensate the Nigerian company for the loss of goods amounting to $120,000 plus corresponding interest.