The Nea Tyhi - Q.B.D. (Adm.Ct.) (Sheen J.) - 10 November 1981

Breach of bill of lading by master acting as charterers’ agent - Whether shipowner liable to endorsees of bill

The defendant shipowners let their vessel Nea Tyhi to charterers on a charterparty which provided that the charterers were to load, stow, trim and discharge the cargo at their expense under the responsibility of the master who was to sign bills of lading for the cargo presented. It was also provided that charterers would indemnify the owners against all consequences of liabilities that might arise from the charterers or their agents including the master signing the bills of lading.