Silverburn Shipping (IoM) Ltd v Ark Shipping Co LLC (The “Arctic”) – QBD (Comm Ct) (Carr J) [2019] EWHC 376 (Comm) – 22 February 2019

Charterparty – Bareboat charter – Charterers contractingto maintain vessel and keep her “with unexpired classification of the classindicated in Box 10” – Whether classification obligation absolute or toreinstate expired class certificates within reasonable time – Whetherclassification obligation a condition or innominate term of charter – Whetherowners entitled to withdraw vessel following expiry of class certificate

Theclaimants (the owners) were the registered owners of the vessel Arctic which was classed by BureauVeritas (BV). On 17 October 2012 the owners let the vessel to the defendant charterersunder a bareboat charterpartyon the BARECON 89 form for a period of 15 years.