CSL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD V TASMANIAN PORTS CORPORATION PTY LTD

[2026] HCA 15, High Court of Australia, Gageler CJ, Gordon, Edelman, Gleeson and Jagot JJ, 13 May 2026

Admiralty – Limitation of liability for wreck – Meaning and scope of articles 2(1)(a) and (d) of the Convention – Vessel allision damaging two berthed tugs – Claim against vessel owners for costs of recovery, removal and disposal of tugs and bunker fuel onboard – Claims excluded from limitation under article 2(1)(d) of Limitation Convention by a reservation under article 18(1) – Whether claims limitable under article 2(1)(a) – Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976

Following an allision in the port of Devonport in Tasmania, CSL, the owners of the bulk carrier Goliath sought declarations to limit liability and had set up a limitation fund.