The Ship “SOCOFL Stream” v CMC (Australia) Pty Ltd - Federal Court of Australia (Ryan, Tamberlin and Conti JJ) - 27 July 2001

Vessel demised by disponent owner to charterer - Disponent owner giving notice of default in payment of charter hire and calling on charterer to forthwith re-deliver the vessel - Vessel subsequently taking on cargoes from shipper for which bills of lading issued and signed “as agents for and on behalf of master” who was employee of charterer

In early 1999 CMC (Australia) Pty Ltd (“the shipper”) arranged to ship a quantity of steel products, part of it from Singapore and the rest from Port Klang in Malaysia, to Australia. Each bill was issued on behalf of the master. They called for delivery of the cargo in Newcastle.