Skyros Maritime Corporation and Another v Hapag-Lloyd AG (The Skyros and The Agios Minas) [2025] EWCA Civ 1529

Damages for late redelivery of vessels under time charterparties

In this judgment the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's decision ([2025] 2 Lloyd's Rep 260) and restored an arbitral award. It emphasised that damages for late redelivery are to be assessed by reference to the objective market measure and that collateral arrangements entered into by the owner for the future disposition of the vessel - such as agreements for its sale - should be disregarded. The decision therefore clarifies the role of the doctrine of res inter alios acta in the assessment of contractual damages and reinforces the importance of commercial certainty in charterparty disputes.