Uni-Ocean Lines Pte. Ltd. v. C-Trade S.A. (The Lucille) - Q.B.D. (Bingham J.) - 15 December 1982

Shatt-al-Arab - Charterers in breach of safe part warranty

The plaintiffs were owners of the Lucille which was time chartered to the defendants on the NYPE form with additional clauses. The charterers ordered her to Basrah to discharge a cargo of cement. She arrived at the Shatt-al-Arab anchorage on 25 August 1980 and waited there until 20 September 1980 because of congestion at Basrah. Charterers ordered her to proceed to Basrah on 20 September. Lucille proceeded to Abu Flus and began discharge on 21 September. This continued sporadically (as a result of shelling and air raids) until 23 October. The Shatt-al-Arab was closed to shipping on 23 September. On 25 September charterers told the owners that they were cancelling the charterparty under clause 63. A number of disputes were submitted to arbitration.