Terms and conditions

1. ACCEPTANCE. CARGOTEK

Cargotek offers and will accept orders for services only under Cargotek’s General Terms, Conditions and Limitations (the “Terms”). Cargotek performs its services for only one client unless Cargotek is expressly notified in writing prior to performing the services that such services are for the benefit and account of more than one party and each such party has received a copy of these Terms (each such party, collectively and individually, being hereinafter referred to as “Customer”), but Cargotek may rely completely on the instructions received from the first nominating Customer without consultation with any other Customer and may use its own discretion in resolving conflicts, discrepancies and/or ambiguities in or among Customer communications with Cargotek.

There may be other documents between Customer and Cargotek dealing with commercial issues such as pricing and invoicing, for example, but in the absence of such other documents, Cargotek’s standard commercial terms are payment in full without setoff or discount within thirty (30) days of the date of Cargotek’s invoice, with interest on any amounts due but unpaid to Cargotek accruing until payment thereof at the lesser of (i) the highest lawful rate of interest permitted by applicable law or (ii) one percent (1%) per month. If unpaid amounts are collected through a collection agent, legal proceedings or by an attorney, Customer shall pay all related administrative charges, costs, attorneys’ fees, and agents’ fees associated with such collection procedures or efforts.

2. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY

Customer or his commercial partners shall at all times be responsible for the complete care, custody, and control of its premises where the services are or will be performed (the “Site”) and shall provide a safe environment for Cargotek’s employees and representatives to perform Cargotek services.

3. NO GUARANTEES

Cargotek expressly advises that it is neither an insurer nor guarantor of the quality or quantity or functionality of any inspected or tested product or equipment and disclaims any liability in such capacity.

4. HOLD HARMLESS

Customer releases and shall save, indemnify, defend and hold Cargotek, its employees or delegates, from and against any and all liabilities, losses or damages, claims, demands, causes of action, suits and associated expenses (including, but not limited to all court costs, expert witness fees, investigative expenses and attorneys’ fees (the “Litigation Expenses”), and awards arising in favor of Customer or any third party as a result of, and/or in any way occurring, incident to, arising out of, or in connection with the performance of services by Cargotek pursuant to this Agreement and/or the transportation, handling, or disposal of Customer’s property (including samples): (i) injury, disease, or death to persons, (ii) damage to, loss of, or loss of use of property (including pollution damage to any surface or water, or damage to any storage tank, vessel or other Site), and/or (iii) financial loss of every kind or character, and (iv) delay or failure to perform the services due to causes beyond Cargotek’s control.

5. EXTENT OF INDEMNITY

The indemnities in these Terms shall not apply to any of the foregoing losses, costs, damages, or injuries caused solely by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Cargotek or its employees. Further, this indemnity shall specifically apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities, awards, demands, Litigation Expenses, suits or causes of action of every kind and character arising out of or in connection with the negligence of or breach of contract by any Indemnified Person, whether actual or alleged, in the performance of services under this Agreement. The foregoing indemnities will be in addition to any liability that the Customer might otherwise have in Cargotek and the other Indemnified Persons. To the extent necessary under applicable law, Customer agrees that its indemnity obligation will be sufficiently supported by available liability insurance coverage to be furnished by Customer.

6. NO CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

In no event shall Cargotek be liable to Customer for indirect, punitive, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including, without limitation, loss of profit or business interruption). Litigation Expenses or other fees (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees, court costs, and/or pre- or post-judgment interest), or any other expenses or costs incurred by Customer or any other party in any litigation against or involving Cargotek or any Indemnified Person in connection with this Agreement or any service provided under this Agreement even if Customer is the prevailing party.

7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

All claims must be made in writing within 45 days after delivery of the Cargotek report regarding the work/services or such claim shall be deemed as irrevocably waived. Cargotek’s liability under this Agreement or in connection with any service hereunder will not exceed the amount equal to ten times the charges payable for the services which are the subject matter of the alleged liability or the amount of USD 20,000, whichever is less. This remedy shall be the sole and exclusive remedy against Cargotek arising out of its work. Customer acknowledges that from time to time circumstances may arise under which Cargotek may need to engage the services of third parties or purchase goods made by third parties in connection with Cargotek’s services; under no circumstances shall Cargotek be held liable for any such services or goods and accepts no responsibility for analysis result produced in laboratories operated by third parties, regardless of whether Cargotek witnessed such analysis.

8. NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES: NO RIGHT OF RELIANCE

Cargotek shall have no responsibility or liability for Customer’s or any third party’s use of or reliance on the data, information, or reports furnished by Cargotek. Customer is securing services hereunder for his own account, and not as an agent or broker, or in any other representative capacity, for any other person or entity. It is agreed and acknowledged that there are no third party beneficiaries to this Agreement, and that no third party may rely on such data, information, or reports, except with the express prior written consent of Cargotek. Customer represents, warrants, and agrees that said data, information, and reports are not requested, nor shall be used or relied upon, in connection with or as part of, the securing, amendment, renewal, or extension of any loan from any financial institution or other lender, or the certification to or contracting with, directly or indirectly, any governmental agency or department. The original written report carrying the signature of the authorized representative of Cargotek serves as the only and exclusive proof of the content of any information provided by Cargotek to Customer, regardless of whether such information is also supplied by other means (such as electronically).

9. REPORTING

Any report, certificate or statement submitted to Customer other than in written form bearing the signature of the authorized representative of Cargotek shall be deemed to have been issued at the request of and for the risk of Customer, and Cargotek shall not be responsible and/or liable for any deviation between information in such report, certificate or statement and the information in the original written report signed by such representative.

10. LEGAL CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION AND VENUE

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Italy.

11. AMENDMENT

No amendment of or deviation from, and no waiver of, the terms set forth herein shall bind Cargotek unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized officer or managing director of Cargotek.

12. LANGUAGE

These conditions are originally drawn up in the English language and the ruling language is English.

13. COURT

The Trieste, Italy, court is competent for any dispute on the agreement.