Following the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping Co., The Auto Care Association has signed a joint coalition letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker to outline concerns and urge the DOC to continue working with the South Korean government toward a resolution.
The South Korean container line filed for bankruptcy protection on Aug. 31, leaving $14 billion in cargo stranded at sea and disrupting the global supply chain. According to the Auto Care Association, dozens of ships around the world have been denied access to the ports where the stranded cargo resides because it is uncertain of who will pay for docking fees, container storage and unloading bills. The auto care industry is one of many industries impacted by these events.
“The current situation has a tremendous impact on both importers and exporters of the auto care industry,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association, “as shippers are uncertain if Hanjin ships will be allowed to unload and if their goods will be seized by Hanjin’s creditors once they are docked.”
The joint letter was spearheaded by the National Retail Federation and the Hardwood Federation and had 120 organization signatures representing manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, wholesalers, retailers, importers, exporters, distributors, and transportation and logistics providers.
