Lloyd's Maritime Law Newsletter
The Owners of the Ship "Borvigilant" v The Owners of the Ship "Romina G" - Court of Appeal (Peter Gibson, Clarke & Dyson LJJ) - 8 July 2003
Agency - Tanker colliding with berthing tug during operations at Kharg Island - Tanker master had been required by terminal operator to sign tug requisition form containing exemption clauses and indemnities - Berthing tug not owned by terminal operator - Whether tugowner entitled to benefit of exemption and indemnity clauses
The vessel Romina G, owned by Monsoon Shipping Ltd ("Monsoon"), arrived at Kharg Island to load a cargo of crude oil at the
National Iranian Oil Company ("NIOC") terminal. NIOC owned its own tugs, but it also chartered in berthing tugs through its
subsidiary, National Iranian Tanker Company ("NITC"). One such tug was the Borvigilant, owned by Borkan General Trading ("Borkan").
The master of Romina G was required to sign a tug requisition form prior to berthing operations. During the course of berthing
on 22 July 1998 Borvigilant collided with Romina G. Monsoon contended that the collision was caused by unseaworthiness on
the part of Borvigilant.