Berge Bulk Shipping Pte Ltd v Taumata Plantations Ltd and Others [2025] EWCA Civ 876 - Court of Appeal (Lord Justice Males, Lady Justice Falk and Lord Justice Zacaroli- 10 July 2025

Jurisdiction - Charterparties - Cargo discharged without bills of lading - Letters of undertaking given by shipper - Whether sellers of cargo were undisclosed principals

Three New Zealand companies, Taumata, Tiaki and OTPP (the Exporters) owned logging rights over forestry plantations in New Zealand. The forests were managed by Manulife, which was responsible for the sale and marketing of logs to customers in New Zealand. Approximately 50 per cent of the logs harvested for the Exporters were sold domestically, the remainder being exported to overseas markets, including China and India.