SONGA CHEMICALS AS V NAVIG8 CHEMICALS POOL LTD

[2018] EWHC 397 (Comm), Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court, Mr Justice Andrew Baker, 2 March 2018

Carriage of goods - Letters of indemnity - Delivery without production of the bill of lading - International P&I Clubs' standard form for letters of indemnity

A cargo of sunflower seed oil, sold by charterers Glencore to Aavanti was delivered to R, Aavanti's buyer, against a letter of indemnity on the International Group standard form. Such letters were issued by Avanti to Glencore, by Glencore to Navig8 and by Navig8 to Songa, the carrier. SocGen, the bank that had financed Aavanti's purchase, claimed to be the lawful holder of the bills of lading. That claim was being pursued against Songa in London arbitration.