Cuban economists urge legal action against shipping companies

Economists and specialists from the National Association of Economists and Accountants of Cuba (ANEC) are recommending legal action against international shipping companies. The proposal suggests that the Cuban government coordinate or advise a collective lawsuit on behalf of both private and state-owned companies affected by broken contracts.

According to experts, several shipping lines have left thousands of containers destined for Cuba stranded in Caribbean ports. These companies reportedly breached agreements by citing the need to comply with third-party regulations that were not part of the original contracts. Specialists, including Dr. Juan Triana, have urged the government to act in defense of affected clients to prevent the loss of opportunities to claim damages due to the passage of time.

In international trade, containers are typically assets owned by the shipping line or a leasing company, with the consignee responsible for returning them in their original condition. The discussions also referenced the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), an international treaty under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations, which standardizes safety requirements for container handling and transport.