Shell Marketing (Oman) Ltd v The owners of the ship 'Niase' - QBD (Admlty Ct)(David Steel J) - 9 February 2000

Collision between vessel and jetty - Assignee of jetty owner bringing action in negligence against vessel owner more than two years after date of accident - Oman Maritime Law providing for two year time limit for bringing actions 'arising out of a collision' - Whether claim time-barred

On 15 March 1997 the defendants' tanker Erica Jacob (since renamed Niase) was attempting to moor at a terminal located near Masirah Island off Oman. In doing so, the vessel came into contact with the terminal causing substantial damage. The claimants were assignees of the owners of the terminal and claimed $1.75 million damages from the defendants on the basis that the contact had been caused by the negligent navigation of their vessel.