VERTISA seeks reimbursement from Honduras over mobile hospital shipping costs

VERTISA Corporation says Honduras was responsible for freight and insurance on seven mobile hospitals delivered in 2020 under EXW terms, and the company is now asking the state to reimburse those costs. The dispute centers on logistics spending VERTISA says it covered during the COVID-19 emergency to get the hospitals into the country.

Why it matters: - VERTISA's claim could affect who ultimately pays for the transport and insurance of seven mobile hospitals delivered to Honduras during the COVID-19 emergency. - The dispute also highlights how contract terms can shift costs in international medical infrastructure projects.

What happened: - VERTISA Corporation said it coordinated the shipment of seven mobile hospitals from Turkey to Puerto Cortés, Honduras, in 2020 at the request of INVEST-H officials. - The company said the hospitals were delivered during the COVID-19 public health emergency. - VERTISA said the purchase orders from INVEST-H used Ex Works, or EXW, terms. - Under EXW terms, the buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for transport from the seller's facilities.

The details: - VERTISA said freight and insurance were the responsibility of the State of Honduras under the agreed purchase terms. - The company said it covered international shipping, cargo handling and related insurance costs anyway because of logistics problems tied to the pandemic. - VERTISA also said it helped arrange local support for the installations so the units could reach Honduras. - The company described that assistance as a good-faith effort with INVEST-H and the Honduran government to complete the delivery during a critical moment for public health. - VERTISA said the seven projects were transported and received in Honduras in 2020. - The company said international medical infrastructure projects require planning for shipment preparation, transport conditions, cargo protection and delivery at destination.

Between the lines: - The dispute appears to turn less on whether the hospitals were delivered and more on which party should absorb the logistics bill. - VERTISA is using the EXW language to frame its spending as an advance payment that should be repaid, not a voluntary giveaway. - The company is also signaling that logistics planning should be treated as part of project scope, not an afterthought.

What's next: - VERTISA said the freight and insurance costs it assumed have not been reimbursed. - The company is seeking repayment from the State of Honduras for those expenses. - VERTISA also wants to clarify the scope of its role in the shipment and the responsibilities tied to the INVEST-H purchase orders. - More information: VERTISA's trajectory and projects