CARRIER AGREEMENT
This Contract for Services is made effective as of this day of , 2021, by and between Official Logistics Inc. of 4524 West Palo Alto #204, Fresno, CA 93722- 2952 (the “BROKER”) and of (the “CARRIER”), individually (a “Party”) and collectively (the “Parties”).
CARRIER hereby represents and warrants that it:
i. is an operator of commercial motor vehicles and/or a motor carrier, authorized to provide the transportation of goods under contracts with shippers and receivers and/or brokers of materials, wares, merchandise, and general commodities, and
ii. shall transport the goods (property), under its own Operating Authority and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and
iii. makes the representations herein for the purpose of inducing BROKER to enter into this Agreement, and
iv. agrees that a Shipper’s insertion of BROKER’s name as the carrier on a bill of lading shall be for the Shipper’s convenience only and shall not change BROKER’s or CARRIER’s status as defined above, and
v. will not re-broker, assign, or interline the shipments hereunder without the prior written consent of BROKER. If CARRIER breaches this provision, BROKER shall have the right of paying the monies it owes CARRIER directly to the delivering carrier, in lieu of payment to CARRIER. Upon BROKER’s payment to delivering carrier, CARRIER shall not be released from any liability to BROKER under this Agreement. CARRIER will be liable for consequential damages for violation of this Section, and
vi. is in, and shall maintain compliance during the term of this Agreement, with all applicable federal, provincial (or state) and local laws relating to the provision of its services including, but not limited to: transportation of Dangerous Goods (or Hazardous Materials), (including the licensing and training of drivers), to the extent that any shipments hereunder constitute Dangerous Goods (or Hazardous Materials); security regulations; customs regulations; owner/operator lease regulations; loading and securement of freight regulations; implementation and maintenance of driver safety regulations including, but not limited to, hiring, controlled substances, and hours of service regulations; sanitation, temperature, and contamination requirements for transporting food, perishable, and other products, qualification and licensing and training of drivers; implementation and maintenance of equipment safety regulations; maintenance and control of the means and method of transportation including, but not limited to, performance of its drivers, and
vii. CARRIER will notify BROKER immediately if any Operating Authority is revoked, suspended, or rendered inactive for any reason; and/or if it is sold, or if there is a change in control of ownership, and/or any insurance required hereunder is threatened to be or is terminated, canceled, suspended, or revoked for any reason, and
viii. CARRIER shall defend, indemnify and hold BROKER and its shipper customer harmless from any claims, actions or damages, arising out of its performance under this Agreement, including cargo loss and damage, theft, delay, damage to property, and personal injury or death. BROKER shall not be liable to the CARRIER for any claims, actions, or damages due to the negligence of the CARRIER, or the shipper. The obligation to defend shall include all costs of defense as they accrue, and
ix. does not have an “Unsatisfactory” safety rating issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), U.S. Department of Transportation, or any provincial regulatory authority and will notify BROKER in writing immediately if its safety rating is changed to “Unsatisfactory” or “Conditional”, and
x. authorizes BROKER to invoice CARRIER’s freight charges to the shipper or third parties responsible for payment, and
xi. has investigated, monitors, and agrees to conduct business hereunder based on the creditworthiness of BROKER and is granting BROKER credit terms accordingly.
A. Responsibilities of Broker
The responsibilities of BROKER shall include:
i. SHIPMENTS, BILLING & RATES: BROKER agrees to solicit and obtain freight transportation business for CARRIER to the mutual benefit of CARRIER and BROKER. BROKER shall inform CARRIER of (a) place of origin and destination of all shipments; and (b) if applicable, any special shipping instructions or special equipment requirements, of which BROKER has been timely notified.
ii. BROKER agrees to conduct all billing services to shippers. CARRIER shall invoice BROKER for its (CARRIER’s) charges, as mutually agreed in writing, by fax, or by electronic means, contained in BROKER’s Load Confirmation Sheet(s) incorporated herein by reference.
iii. RATES: Additionally, any rates, which may be verbally agreed upon, shall be deemed confirmed in writing where CARRIER has billed the agreed rate and BROKER has paid it. All written confirmations of rates, including confirmations by billing and payment, shall be incorporated herein by reference, including but not limited to stop-offs, detention, loading or
unloading, fuel surcharges, or other accessorial charges, released rates or values, or tariff rules or circulars, shall only be valid when specifically agreed to in signed writing by the Parties. iv. PAYMENT: The Parties agree that BROKER is the sole party responsible for payment CARRIER’s charges. Failure of BROKER to collect payment from its customer shall not exonerate BROKER of its obligation to pay CARRIER. CARRIER hereby waives the requirement under any applicable statute or regulation for BROKER to maintain a trust account or be subject to any trust obligations in respect of amounts of money owed to CARRIER hereunder. BROKER agrees to pay CARRIER’s invoice within thirty (30) days of receipt of the bill of lading or proof of delivery, provided CARRIER is not in default under the terms of this Agreement. If BROKER has not paid CARRIER’s invoice as agreed, and CARRIER has complied with the terms of this Agreement, CARRIER may seek payment from the Shipper or other party responsible for payment after giving BROKER twenty (20) business days advance written notice. CARRIER shall not seek payment from Shipper if Shipper can prove payment to BROKER.
v. BOND: If applicable, BROKER shall maintain a surety bond on file with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the form and amount not less than that required by that agency’s regulations.
vi. If applicable, BROKER will notify CARRIER immediately if its Operating Authority is revoked, suspended, or rendered inactive for any reason; and/or if it is sold, or if there is a change in control of ownership, and/or any insurance required hereunder is threatened to be or is terminated, canceled, suspended, or revoked for any reason.
B. Responsibilities of Carrier
Responsibilities of Carrier shall include:
i. EQUIPMENT: Subject to its representations and warranties in Section 1 above, CARRIER agrees to provide the necessary equipment and qualified personnel for completion of the transportation services required for BROKER and/or its customers. CARRIER will not supply equipment that has been used to transport hazardous wastes, solid or liquid. CARRIER agrees that all shipments will be transported and delivered with reasonable dispatch or as otherwise agreed in writing.
ii. BILLS OF LADING: CARRIER shall issue a Uniform Bill of Lading for the property it receives for transportation under this Agreement. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, CARRIER shall become fully responsible/liable for the freight when it takes/receives possession thereof, and the trailer(s) is loaded, regardless of whether a bill of lading has been issued, and/or signed, and/or delivered to CARRIER, and which responsibility/liability shall continue until delivery of the shipment to the consignee and the consignee signs the bill of lading or delivery receipt. Any terms of the bill of lading (including but not limited to payment terms) inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement shall be controlled by the terms of this Agreement. Failure to issue a bill of lading, or sign a bill of lading acknowledging receipt of the cargo by CARRIER shall not affect the liability of CARRIER.
iii. LOSS & DAMAGE CLAIMS: CARRIER shall comply with 49 C.F.R. §370.1 et seq. and any amendments and/or any other applicable regulations adopted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, or any applicable federal, state or provincial regulatory agency, for processing all loss and damage claims and salvage and CARRIER liability for any cargo damage, loss or theft from any cause shall be determined under the Carmack Amendment 49 USC 14706 as governing shipments according to its terms CARRIER indemnification liability for freight loss and damage claims under this Section shall include legal
fees which shall constitute special damages, the risk of which is expressly assumed by CARRIER, and which shall not be limited by any liability of CARRIER. Neither Party shall be liable to the other for consequential damages without prior written notification of the risk of loss and its approximate financial amount, and agreement to assume such responsibility in writing. Notwithstanding the terms of 49 CFR 370.9, CARRIER shall pay, decline, or make a settlement offer in writing on all cargo loss or damage claims within 60 days of receipt of the claim. Failure of CARRIER to pay, decline or offer settlement within this 60-day period shall be deemed admission by CARRIER of full liability for the amount claimed and a material breach of this Agreement.
iv. INSURANCE: CARRIER warrants to Broker (and to its shipper customers) that it meets the following criteria: (a) Carrier shall maintain cargo insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 per shipment; (b) Carrier shall maintain public liability insurance in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 as required by federal regulation (BMC-91 on file); (c) Carrier shall maintain workers compensation insurance as required by state law; (d) Carrier shall agree to provide certificates of insurance upon request; (e) Carrier shall maintain satisfactory U.S. DOT safety ratings and is otherwise authorized to provide the proposed services; and (f) Carrier shall be in compliance with all applicable laws. Any insurance coverage required by any government body for the types of transportation and related services specified in a Transportation Schedule. All insurance required by this Agreement or a Transportation Schedule must be written by an insurance company having a Best’s rating of “B+” or better and must be authorized to do business under the laws of the state(s) or province(s) in which Carrier provides the transportation and related services under all of the Transportation Schedules. Carrier’s insurance shall be primary and required to respond and pay prior to any other available coverage. Carrier agrees that Carrier,
Carrier’s insurer(s), and anyone claiming by, through or under Carrier shall have no claim, right of action, or right of subrogation against Broker, its affiliates, or its Customer based on any loss or liability insured under the foregoing insurance. Carrier shall, prior to providing transportation and related services pursuant to this Agreement, name Broker as a certificate holder on each of the foregoing insurance policies and shall cause its insurance company to issue a certificate to Broker, evidencing the foregoing coverage. Carrier represents and warrants that it will continuously fulfill the requirements of this Section throughout the duration of this Agreement. Broker shall be notified in writing by Carrier’s insurance company at least thirty (30) days prior to the cancellation, change, or non-renewal of the submitted insurance policies.
v. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS: CARRIER automatically assigns to BROKER all its rights to collect freight charges from Shipper or any responsible third party on receipt of payment from BROKER.
C. Independent Contractor
It is understood and agreed that the relationship between BROKER and CARRIER is that of an independent contractor and that no employer/employee relationship exists or is intended. BROKER has no control of any kind over CARRIER, including but not limited to routing of freight, and nothing contained herein shall be construed to be inconsistent with this provision.
D. Non-Exclusive Agreement
CARRIER and BROKER acknowledge and agree that this contract does not bind the respective Parties to exclusive services to each other. Either party may enter into similar agreements with other carriers, brokers, or freight forwarders.
E. Waiver of Provisions
Failure of either Party to enforce a breach or waiver of any provision or term of this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any subsequent failure or breach and shall not affect or limit the right of either Party to thereafter enforce such a term or provision. This Agreement is for specified services pursuant to 49 U.S.C. §14101(b), where applicable. To the extent that terms and conditions herein are inconsistent with Part (b), Subtitle IV, of Title 49 U.S.C. (ICC Termination Act of 1995), the Parties expressly waive any or all rights and remedies they may have under the Act.
F. No Back Solicitation
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, CARRIER shall not knowingly solicit freight shipments for a period of months following termination of this agreement for any reason, from any shipper when such shipments of shipper customers were first tendered to CARRIER by BROKER. In the event of a breach of this provision, BROKER may seek injunctive relief, and in the event it is successful, CARRIER shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by BROKER, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees.
G. Confidential Information
In addition to Confidential Information protected by law, statutory or otherwise, the Parties agree that all of their financial information and that of their customers, including but not limited to freight and brokerage rates, amounts received for brokerage services, amounts of freight charges collected, freight volume requirements, as well as personal customer information, customer shipping or other logistics requirements shared or learned between the Parties and their customers,
shall be treated as Confidential, and shall not be disclosed or used for any reason without prior written consent. In the event of a violation of this Confidentiality paragraph, the Parties and agree that the remedy at law, including monetary damages, may be inadequate and that the Parties shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedy they may have, to an injunction restraining the violating Party from further violation of this Agreement in which case the prevailing Party shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees.
H. Modification of Agreement
This Agreement may not be amended, except by mutual written agreement or the procedures set forth above (Section B(ii) and B(iii).
I. Notices
All notices provided or required by this Agreement shall be made in writing and delivered, return receipt requested, to the addresses shown herein with postage prepaid, or by confirmed (electronically acknowledged on paper) fax. The Parties shall promptly notify each other of any claim that is asserted against either of them by anyone arising out of the Parties’ performance of this Agreement. Notices sent as required hereunder to the addresses shown in this Agreement shall be deemed sent to the correct address unless the Parties are notified in writing of any changes in address.
J. Term of Contract
The term of this Agreement shall be one year from the date hereof, and thereafter it shall automatically be renewed for successive one (1) year periods, unless terminated, upon fifteen (15)
day’s prior written notice, with or without cause, by either Party at any time, including the initial term. In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Parties shall be obligated to complete the performance of any work in progress in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
K. Severance
In the event any of the terms of this Agreement are determined to be invalid or unenforceable, no other terms shall be affected, and the unaffected terms shall remain valid and enforceable as written. The representations, rights, and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive termination of this Agreement for any reason.
L. Entire Agreement
This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Parties and supersedes all verbal or written prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings of the Parties relating to the subject matter stated herein. The Parties further intend that this Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive statement of its terms and that no extrinsic evidence may be introduced to reform this Agreement in any judicial or arbitration proceeding involving this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
HARBHAJAN SINGH in his capacity as CEO-FOUNDER of OFFICIAL LOGISTICS INC. Signature:
in his capacity as of
Signature:
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