London Arbitration 14/21

Charterparty – Delay at discharge port – Charterers holding ship off berth – Whether owners entitled to quantum meruit for extra-contractual service – Whether owners entitled to cost of bunkers consumed during delay – Tribunal indicating that owners entitled to demurrage only – Procedure – LMAA Small Claims Procedure – Neither party arguing alternative case in demurrage before tribunal – Whether tribunal should proceed to award in absence of parties arguing alternative case in demurrage

The claimant owners chartered the subject vessel to the respondent charterers for a voyage carrying a quantity of soya bean meal to two ports, the second being in Lebanon. The dispute related to a period of delay before discharging the balance of cargo in Lebanon. The owners advanced a claim for US$49,590.83 in that respect.