Lloyd's Shipping & Trade Law

In CSSA Chartering and Shipping Services SA v Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd (The Pacific Voyager) [2017] EWHC 2579 (Comm), Popplewell J considered the nature of the obligation of disponent owners under a voyage charterparty to proceed to the agreed loadport.

In this appeal from the first instance decision of Steven Chong J ((2016) 16 STL 8 5), Toptip Holding asserted that a valid voyage charterparty had been concluded via email on 14 October 2014 and that the communication by Mercuria, the disponent owner, on 29 October constituted a repudiation thereof, entitling Toptip to damages in respect of the losses arising from having to secure a substitute charterparty at a higher rate.

This article summarises events in a number of charterparty cases currently, or recently, before the English Court of Appeal.

Surprisingly, a shipowner's rights to limit liability in respect of claims against a wreck are not clear under UK law. Although the ambiguities in question were pointed out at an early stage, the position remains unresolved. This article considers the applicable treaties, legislation and views of eminent authors to demonstrate that the position is unresolved.

Due diligence and reasonable expenses This case concerned due diligence and reasonable expenses in the context of general average.

During the revision of the industry standard contract for bareboat charters, BARECON, a unique opportunity to address a drafting issue presented itself. Towards the end of the revision process, the UK Supreme Court gave judgment in Gard Marine & Energy Ltd v China National Chartering Co Ltd and Another (The Ocean Victory).1

Act I, scene II: meaning of act or neglect This was the appeal on the interpretation of the meaning of the words "act or neglect" in the Inter-Club Agreement.

Course reversal on service of shipping agents Service of arbitration proceedings - the role of agents in shipping