HK shippers slams extra charges to release Hanjin containers

"This arrangement is not acceptable cargoes belong to shippers, the beneficial cargo owners are not shipping lines," HKSC said in a press release.

"Therefore, terminal operators cannot have a lien over cargoes, they have no right to withhold containers and ask shippers to pay what are owed to them by the shipping lines," it added.

Hutchison's Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) is charging a $1,280 security deposit on all Hanjin containers handled.

HKSC urged shippers who are having problems to seek legal advice "without delay to minismise the undesirable consequences" and added that it is also seeking legal advice on how to force terminal operators in Hong Kong to withdraw unreasonable container release charges.

Read all the background to the Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy on our timeline