Arklow Shipping Unlimited Co and Others v Drogheda Port Co DAC (The “Arklow Valour”) – High Court (Admlty) (McDonald J) – 17 September 2021

Docks and harbours – Vessel grounding on sandbar at mouth of River Boyne – Sandbar within limits of Drogheda Harbour managed by defendant port company – Whether defendant liable – Whether breach of statutory duty – Whether defendant “occupier” of entrance to harbour – Whether defendant in breach of duty – Whether grounding caused by alleged incorrect advice on part of defendant as to maximum sailing draft

On 13 December 2018 the vessel Arklow Valour grounded on a sandbar at the mouth of the River Boyne, having previously loaded a cargo of cement at Tom Roes Point Terminal which was located some distance upriver from the site of the grounding. Both the terminal and the sandbar were within the limits of Drogheda Harbour managed and controlled by the defendant, which was established under the Harbours Act 1996 (the 1996 Act).