Importer Alleges That Carriers Botched Furniture Shipments
Furniture importer Cool Living LLC has accused ALPI Logistics and its ALPI non-vessel-operating common carriers of repeatedly failing to properly carry out their responsibilities to transport cargo from Europe to the U.S., according to a complaint filed Dec. 4 with the Federal Maritime Commission.
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Cool Living said that ALPI caused “severe” delays and other problems with shipments that began last year, leading customers to cancel orders and hurting Cool Living’s brand. ALPI “refused to take responsibility for its mismanagement” or “rectify the issues that it caused,” the complaint says.
Cool Living also alleged that ALPI withheld cargo to gain leverage in an unrelated dispute over outstanding invoices, in violation of the Shipping Act.
As a result of ALPI's "unreasonable and unlawful conduct," Cool Living has sustained reputational damage and lost business totaling $100,000, and its clients canceled orders for $55,000 in cargo still held by ALPI, the complaint says. Cool Living asked that ALPI be ordered to pay reparations, as well as “other and further relief that the FMC deems is just and proper.”
ALPI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the complaint.