Cometsambre SA v Lloyd's Insurance Co SA HIG 5321 [2026] EWHC 1837 (Comm) - King's Bench Division, Commercial Court (Mr Justice Butcher) - 21 July 2026

Insurance (marine) - Freight, demurrage and defence (FDD) - Renewal of policy - Failure by charterers to disclose - Duty of fair presentation - Material facts - Inducement - Waiver - Insurance Act 2015

CSA, a Belgian company, was in the business of chartering vessels to carry cargoes of scrap metal from Ghent, Belgium. Since 2008 CSA had insured its potential liability under freight, demurrage and defence (FDD) policies, written on a declaration basis. The insurances were issued by Lloyd's via AMICA as agents.