Planmarine AG v Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (The ‘Hurst’) - Court of Appeal (Yong Pung How CJ, Karthigesu JA and Lai Kew Chai J - 10 March 1999

Admiralty practice - Port dues - Whether recoverable as sheriff’s expenses - Statutory interpretation - Whether port dues recoverable in circumstances where Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore took over statutory duties from the Port of Singapore Authority

The vessel Hurst was arrested at Singapore on 14 March 1997. On 1 July 1997 the vessel was sold for S$1.9 million. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (‘MPA’) raised a bill of S$433,755 for port dues for the period 2 March 1997 to 1 July 1997. Port dues for the period 25 December 1996 to 1 March 1997 had been paid by the owner’s previous agent.