COVID-19, Force Majeure, and the Legal and Financial Implications of Utilizing Reefer Shipping Containers

Journal of Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy, Vol. 87, No. 1, pp. 17-37 (2020)

22 Pages Posted: 12 Sep 2020 Last revised: 15 Feb 2022

See all articles by Chris Carr

Chris Carr

California Polytechnic State University

Cyrus A. Ramezani

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Date Written: 2020

Abstract

This article begins by discussing the rise of the refrigerated ("reefer") container industry and business model. It is important for readers to understand the growing importance of reefers to U.S. export, and how they contribute to supply chain complexity and port congestion. Next, we address how the Corona Virus (COVID-19) impacted reefer container transport. We then discuss how ocean carriers utilized the Force Majeure doctrine to their advantage in their transport of reefer containers, and the related legal implications of them doing so. We also analyze whether insurance covers cargo owner loss in this situation and what happens when the cargo owner decides to just walk away and abandon reefer containers when the ocean carrier exercises its right to discharge the cargo at an alternative foreign port of convenience. The article concludes with recommendations regarding how cargo owners can move forward to analyze and mitigate risk.

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Refrigerated Containers, Reefers, Force Majeure, Exports, Insurance

Suggested Citation

Carr, Chris and Ramezani, Cyrus A., COVID-19, Force Majeure, and the Legal and Financial Implications of Utilizing Reefer Shipping Containers (2020). Journal of Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy, Vol. 87, No. 1, pp. 17-37 (2020), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3690663 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3690663

Chris Carr (Contact Author)

California Polytechnic State University ( email )

Orfalea College of Business
1 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
United States
805-756-2657 (Phone)
805-756-0110 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://orfalea.calpoly.edu/about-us/directory/chris-carr/

Cyrus A. Ramezani

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo ( email )

School of Business
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
174
Abstract Views
2,054
Rank
311,243
PlumX Metrics