Mariana Islands Steamship Corporation v. Marimpex Mineraloel-Handelsgesellschaft M.b.H. (The Medusa) - Court of Appeal (Neill and Nicholls L.JJ.) - 17 June 1986

Demurrage claim must be presented promptly

This case illustrates the vital importance of owners ensuring that demurrage claims are presented promptly in accordance with the terms of the charterparty. The relevant charter was on the 1983 BP form as amended. An arbitration clause in substantially the Centrocon form was added. An entirely separate clause provided that demurrage was payable after receipt of owners’ invoice supported by the usual documentation, and that “Claims to be received by charterers within three months from completion of discharge otherwise such claims are timebarred”.