Wilforce LLC and Another v Ratu Shipping Co SA and Another (The Wilforce and the MV Western Moscow) – [2022] EWHC 1190 (Admlty), Sir Nigel Teare with Rear Admiral David Snelson and Captain Stephen Gobbi, Elder Brethren of Trinity House – 20 May 2022

Admiralty – Collision – Application of collision rules in designated precautionary area – Traffic Separation Scheme – Crossing rule – Stand-on vessel having created the dangerous situation – Collision Regulations

On 31 May 2019 there was a collision in a “Precautionary Area” of the Singapore Straits Traffic Separation Scheme between Wilforce (a double-hulled liquefied natural gas carrier, in ballast) and Western Moscow (a bulk carrier on her maiden laden voyage). The combined claims were in the region of £14 million. Navigation in the Singapore Straits was subject to the Collision Regulations and also to “Rules for Vessels Navigating Through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore”.