Newa Line v. Erechtion Shipping Co. S.A. (The Erechtion) - Q.B.D. (Com.Ct.) (Staughton J.) - 9 March 1987

Employment and indemnity - Whether charterers liable to indemnify where damage caused by harbour authority’s instructions

The vessel Erechtion , under time-charter, was ordered by the charterers to discharge at Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The vessel was too deep to enter Port Harcourt so the harbour authority instructed her to proceed to the Dawes Island anchorage to lighten. In the course of manoeuvring in the anchorage with a pilot on board, the vessel struck an unmarked submerged wreck and had to be beached. The shipowners claimed damages from the charterers.