Effort Shipping Co Ltd v Linden Management SA (The “Giannis NK”) QBD (Com Ct) (Longmore J) - 30 March 1994

Ship delayed as a result of loading infected groundnuts - Whether groundnuts physically dangerous - Whether shippers liable for damages resulting from delay - Shippers’ liability after bills of lading indorsed to purchaser

The vessel Giannis NK loaded a cargo of groundnut extraction meal pellets together with other cargo. On arrival at the discharge port live insects and shed skins had been discovered in the cargo. The vessel had been quarantined, fumigated and ordered to leave the port with her cargoes still on board. The vessel was subsequently inspected by the owners and the US Department of Agriculture, who identified the presence of trogoderma granarium Everts or khapra beetle. The owners were required to remove the cargo and either return it to its country of origin or dump it at sea.