Southampton Container Terminals Ltd v Hansa Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH (The ‘Maersk Colombo’) - QBD (Admlty Ct)(David Steel J) - 20 July 1999

Negligence - Shoreside crane destroyed by vessel manoeuvring into berth in bad weather - Whether terminal operator guilty of contributory negligence in failing to ensure that crane was located in a less vulnerable position - Whether damages should be awarded on cost of replacement or market value basis

In the course of berthing at berth 204 at the claimant’s container terminal at Southampton in heavy weather, the defendant’s vessel Maersk Colombo damaged a shoreside crane beyond repair. The claimant brought proceedings against the defendant shipowners in negligence, claiming damages for the cost of replacing the crane in the sum of £2.4 million.