National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia v BP Oil Supply Company (The "Abqaiq") - QBD (Comm Ct)(Field J) - 22 November 2010

Demurrage - Whether claim compromised - Whether claim time-barred

The VLCC Abqaiq was chartered on terms of the BPVOY 4 charter as amended for a voyage from Freeport, Bahamas, to Singapore. The Abqaiq arrived at Freeport and tendered notice of readiness at 0930 on 6 February 2008. She berthed at 1712 on 7 February and started loading operations at 2236 the same day, loading cargo by ship-to-ship transfer and from shore tanks. At 0136 on 11 February the hoses were disconnected and at 0330 the Abqaiq left the berth to drift off Freeport awaiting the arrival of the Ganges Spirit from which she was due to load a further parcel of cargo. In the event, the Abqaiq did not re-berth until 0300 on 17 February. Between 0654 on 17 February and 0954 on 18 February she loaded cargo from the Ganges Spirit and from a shore tank. At 1312 that day hoses were disconnected and at 1412 she unmoored and headed for Singapore.