Tropical fruit importer Bandelsur has filed the first legal action in response to the losses caused by Chile's port strikes in March and April.

Represented by Araya & Cía Abogados, the company has sought compensation from San Antonio port operator Puerto Central, calling for arbitration in the First Court of letters in the coastal city.

Araya & Cía maritime law expert Manuel José Vial, explained this was the first step towards a civil liability claim.

"In this case, Puerto Central S.A. is responsible for the mentioned damages, because its work is performed amidst an essential activity for the country's economy, so its services should be continuous and permanent as law 19.542 indicates," Vial said in a release.

He noted that the strikes happened during the height of the fruit season, leading to the retention of 1,600 containers in terminals of which 300 were in San Antonio.

A release from the law firm said that even though this case concerned an importer, the litigation would be a precedent for the types of actions that could be filed by Chilean exporters once enough background about the losses caused is calculated.

Cabe destacar que la huelga portuaria se produjo en el momento culmine de la temporada frutícola e implicó que 1600 contenedores quedaran retenidos en los terminales, 300 de ellos en San Antonio.

He said various companies would likely be filing lawsuits against responsible parties in the short term.

Bandelsur imports bananas and pineapples from Ecuador.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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