BERGE BULK SHIPPING PTE LTD V TAUMATA PLANTATIONS LTD AND OTHERS

[2025] EWCA Civ 876, Court of Appeal (Civil Division), Lord Justice Males, Lady Justice Falk and Lord Justice Zacaroli, 10 July 2025

Jurisdiction – Letters of indemnity – Undisclosed principals – Whether seller of goods liable to disponent owner of vessel under charterparty or letter of indemnity issued in return for delivery of goods without presentation of bill of lading

The three respondents were exporters of New Zealand timber. Their export agent was TPT Forests, which had set up TPT Shipping to manage the risks inherent to chartering vessels.