Universal Bulk Carriers Ltd v André et Cie - Court of Appeal (Potter and Clarke LJJ and Bennett J) - 10 April 2001

Charterparty - Laycan narrowing provision - Whether option or obligation - If obligation whether condition precedent

By a charterparty on the Baltimore Berth Grain Form C dated 3 October 1996 the owners let a vessel to be nominated to the charterers for a voyage from the US Gulf to Malaysia. The relevant provisions of the charterparty were as follows: