The United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently decided a noteworthy case that has the potential to impact the allocation of risk and liabilities in the oceangoing cargo transportation industry. In GIC Services, LLC v. Freightplus USA, Inc., 866 F.3d 649 (5th Cir. 2017), the Fifth Circuit concluded for the first time that the “special relationship” between a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) and a vessel-operating common carrier (VOCC) is one of the limited situations that may give rise to a claim for maritime tort indemnification. This conclusion is significant in that it provides a unique remedy to an NVOCC that suffers loss due to the negligence of a VOCC, and vice versa. Continue reading >