From rejecting cargo claims for carriers to recovering them for SMEs

Lina Jasutiene is a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur empowering exporters by addressing cargo claims. Starting her career as a lawyer for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), she specialised in rejecting cargo claims. Over time, she recognised the struggles exporters faced with genuine claims, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This realisation led her to establish Recoupex in 2019, a global cargo claims recovery firm offering no-win, no-fee services. As the founder and chief executive officer of Recoupex, her mission is to simplify claims recovery, educate exporters, and advocate for justice in the supply chain.

In the bustling corridors of the global shipping industry, Jasutiene discovered a recurring story: exporters, particularly SMEs, struggling to recover genuine claims for damaged cargo. As a lawyer at Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Jasutiene often found herself rejecting claims, despite their legitimacy. The experience left her questioning the status quo. “I saw the financial impact on businesses and the injustices they faced,” she recalls. This insight became the foundation of Recoupex, the Hamburg-based claims recovery firm she launched in 2019.

As she explained to Indian Transport & Logistics News during her recent visit to India, “My journey in the shipping industry began over a decade ago with MSC in New York, where I worked as a lawyer rejecting cargo claims. Later, I moved to Geneva, overseeing claims across Africa and South America. Over time, I witnessed the challenges exporters faced when pursuing genuine claims. Many lacked the legal knowledge, resources, or systems to navigate the process, and I saw this as both a moral and business opportunity. This realization led to the founding of Recoupex in 2019 to support exporters globally with claims recovery.”

Recoupex operates on a bold yet simple premise: helping exporters recover cargo claims without upfront costs. Its team of 42 lawyers, many with experience in shipping companies, provides global coverage and a streamlined process that closes most cases in 8 to 12 weeks.

“Our approach is straightforward. We offer no-win, no-fee claims recovery services for ocean, air, and multimodal cargo. Our global team of lawyers ensures claims are handled efficiently. We act quickly—acknowledging claims within hours, and sending legal notices promptly. This contrasts sharply with traditional processes that can take months or years. We don’t charge upfront fees, which makes our service accessible, especially for SMEs,” she said.

India has emerged as a key market for Recoupex. From the grape growers of Nasik to furniture exporters in Delhi, Jasutiene’s team has helped businesses navigate claims involving delays, temperature fluctuations, and container quality issues. The challenges exporters face are numerous. “Many lack the documentation needed to prove their cargo was loaded in good condition or believe they cannot file claims without insurance,” Jasutiene explains. Recoupex’s workshops and newsletters aim to fill this knowledge gap.

“India is one of our key markets. We work extensively with exporters of fresh produce, frozen meat, furniture, and consumer goods from regions like Nasik, Delhi, and Mumbai. Indian exporters are incredibly proactive and eager to learn. They value guidance on protecting themselves from cargo damage and claims rejection, which is why our educational workshops and newsletters have been well-received here,” she added.

On October 19, 2024, Jasutiene organised a workshop in Nasik highlighting the hurdles grape exporters face. Delays caused by the Red Sea crisis and temperature control failures were common pain points. Jasutiene emphasised the importance of pre-cooling certificates, loading photos, and effective communication with buyers to avoid claims rejection. Her advice resonated with exporters eager to protect their shipments and their businesses.

Talking about challenges faced by Indian exporters, she said, “Common challenges include insufficient documentation to prove that cargo was loaded in good condition, lack of awareness about their rights without insurance, and delays caused by shipping lines during claims investigations. For instance, fresh produce exporters often face issues with temperature fluctuations, delays due to crises like the Red Sea situation, or container quality. These can result in significant financial losses if not addressed promptly.”

Recoupex’s success lies not just in recovering claims but in empowering exporters. By educating them about their rights and simplifying the claims process, Jasutiene hopes to foster a more equitable shipping ecosystem.

When asked if she could share tips for exporters to avoid claims rejection, she informed, “First, document everything—pre-cooling certificates, staffing reports, and photos of the cargo during loading. Second, understand that insurance isn’t mandatory for claims. Shipping lines are still responsible for delivering cargo in sound condition. Lastly, communicate effectively with buyers at the destination to ensure they provide evidence of cargo damage when it occurs.”

Looking ahead, she plans to expand Recoupex’s reach in India and other emerging markets, focusing on high-risk verticals like fresh produce and furniture.

“Our focus remains on providing cargo claims recovery services globally. We aim to deepen our presence in India, Africa, and South America. While we educate exporters as part of our service, our core mission is to ensure justice in claims recovery, particularly for SMEs that lack legal resources,” she added.

For Indian exporters, Jasutiene's message is clear: “Don’t let myths or a lack of resources stop you from pursuing genuine claims. With the right support, justice is within reach.”