Continental Grain Co. v. Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and the Government Trading Corporation of Iran (The Iran Bahonar) - Court of Appeal (Ackner and Oliver L.JJ.) - 30 July 1983

Cargo owners obtain injunction compelling vessel to deviate in order to avoid risk of cargo falling into wrong hands at discharge port.

What happens when a cargo owner whose goods are about to be discharged fears that his goods may fall into wrong hands on delivery at the discharge port? Can the shipowner be forced to discharge the cargo at another safe port not named in the bill of lading? These questions were considered during interlocutory proceedings before the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal at the end of the last legal term. The facts were as follows.