Trade Green Shipping Inc v Securitas Bremer Allgemeine Versicherungs AG (The ‘Trade Green’) - QBD (Com Ct)(Moore-Bick J) - 9 May 2000

General average - Fire breaking out while vessel discharging cargo - Vessel removed from berth on instructions of Port Authority and towed to anchorage outside port while fire brought under control - Port Authority charging shipowners substantial tug towing expenses - Whether tug towing expenses allowable in general average under Rule XI(b) of York-Antwerp Rules

On 8 May 1993, while the vessel Trade Green was discharging a cargo of rice in bags at Aqaba, fire broke out in the engine room. The vessel was removed from the berth on the instructions of the Port Authority by two tugs, and taken under tow to an anchorage outside the port while the fire was brought under control by the crew. She was towed back into berth the following day to complete discharging. The shipowners were subsequently invoiced by the Port Authority for the use of the tugs in an amount equivalent to US$375,000.