Floata Consolidation Ltd v Man Hee Ling (Hong Kong) Vehicles Ltd and Others – [2016] HKCFI 622, High Ct of Hong Kong SAR (Court of First Instance) (Peter Ng J) – 12 April 2016

Admiralty practice – Limitation of liability – Cargo lost as a result of crew members’ actions – Whether crew members’ alleged reckless conduct to be regarded as personal act or omission of shipowner so as to preclude right to limit liability

On 11 March 2015, upon the application of the plaintiff owner of the barge Floata 97, the court granted a decree of limitation under the Merchant Shipping (Limitation of Shipowners Liability) Ordinance, Cap 434 in relation to an incident which took place on 23 March 2014 when the barge was carrying out midstream operations (loading and unloading containers) beside the vessel Heung-A Singapore at the North Lamma Anchorage.