The Stolt Loyalty - Q.B.D. (Adm.Ct.) (Clarke J.) - 6 May 1993

Cargo claim - Whether time-barred - Whether defendant estopped from relying on time bar

The plaintiff cargo owners alleged that their cargo of palm oil was contaminated on arrival of the vessel Stolt Loyalty at the discharge port. The plaintiffs sued the registered owners of the vessel and also the demise charterers. The bills of lading were subject to the Hague Rules, and an issue arose as to whether the cargo owners’ claim had become time-barred under Article III, rule 6.