Florida Shipping Freight Line Sues Freight Forwarder Sol Intercargo Over Unpaid Maritime Cargo Charges
Crowley Latin America Services, LLC, a ocean steamship line with its principal place of business in Jacksonville, Florida, has filed a maritime breach of contract lawsuit against Miami-based freight forwarder Sol Intercargo, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-25326-FAM, alleges that Sol Intercargo failed to pay over $80,000 in ocean freight and associated shipping charges for multiple international cargo shipments originating from Port Everglades, Florida.
Maritime Carrier Alleges Florida NVOCC Failed to Honor Credit Agreement and Ocean Bills of Lading
According to the federal court filing, Sol Intercargo submitted a written credit application in September 2024, which Crowley approved to facilitate ongoing commercial cargo operations. Under the terms of the credit agreement, Sol Intercargo was granted a 30-day window from the invoice date to remit full payment for freight transport and related maritime services. Between February 2025 and June 2025, Crowley fulfilled its contractual obligations by transporting ocean cargo from Port Everglades, Florida, to various international ports of discharge as requested by the defendant. Despite receiving full delivery of the cargo and repeated payment demands, Sol Intercargo allegedly refused to pay the outstanding transportation invoices.
Crowley Seeks Recovery of Principal Ocean Freight Charges, Liquidated Damages, and Legal Fees
The maritime complaint includes two distinct counts of breach of contract under federal admiralty jurisdiction. The first count centers on the breach of the ocean bills of lading, which identify Sol Intercargo as the shipper and explicitly obligate the company to cover all earned freight charges and associated legal costs. The second count alleges a direct breach of the underlying credit agreement. Under the terms of the credit contract, delinquent accounts are subject to collection costs and an additional 25 percent penalty in liquidated damages on all services rendered.
In total, Crowley is seeking $80,726.15 in unpaid principal ocean freight charges, alongside $20,181.54 in liquidated damages, bringing the total base claim to $100,907.69. Additionally, the carrier requests pre-judgment interest, court costs, and attorney’s fees permitted under the governing maritime contract terms.
Maritime Commercial Disputes and Maritime Lien Rights in Florida Federal Courts
Commercial disputes involving international ocean carriage, non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), and bill of lading enforcement fall under federal admiralty and maritime jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1333. When cargo consolidators or freight forwarders default on shipping line obligations, carriers frequently utilize federal maritime claims in districts like the Southern District of Florida to enforce credit agreements, pursue contractual liquidated damages, and secure recovery for unpaid freight fees accrued at major logistical hubs like Port Everglades and PortMiami.
If you or your business are facing complex maritime contract disputes, freight charge recovery issues, or vessel access and carriage litigation, contacting an experienced maritime lawyer can help protect your rights under federal maritime law. Contact us now
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
