Transmeridian Maritime Services Ltd. v. The owners of the Gulf Venture - Q.B.D. (Sheen J.) - 16 July 1984

Shipping agents incurred expenditure at request of owners’ sub-agents - Whether owners liable

The vessel Gulf Venture was owned by Gulf Maritime (Cyprus) Ltd., a company incorporated in Cyprus. She was operated on behalf of her owners by managers and agents. A company called Gulf Lines Ltd., incorporated in Liberia, contracted with shipowners for space of their ships in order to operate a liner service between the U.K. and West African ports. By an agreement made in January 1981, Gulf Maritime (Cyprus) Ltd., appointed Gulf Lines Ltd. as the managers to manage Gulf Venture . The managers were given the right to appoint sub-agents at any U.K., European or West African ports. An English company, Gulf Maritime Co. Ltd., acted as agents for Gulf Lines Ltd. in the U.K. and Europe.