Author: Carolina Graca

K-Line Pte Ltd v Priminds Shipping (HK) Co Ltd (The “Eternal Bliss”) – Court of Appeal, 18 November 2021

NORGRAIN – DEMURRAGE – DAMAGES – LIQUIDATED DAMAGES- APPEAL – IMPLIED INDEMNITY – LAYTIME
The Court of Appeal has overturned the High Court’s decision in K-Line Pte Limited v Priminds Shipping (HK) Co Limited (the “ETERNAL BLISS”) [2021] EWCA Civ 1712, which acknowledged the long-standing question of whether a shipowner can recover damages in addition to demurrage when a charterer’s only breach is failure to load/discharge the ship within the contractually agreed time.
Please note this is a successful appeal of an award already recapped. Search in TANKVOYager via “Eternal Bliss” for the original award. K-Line Pte Ltd v Priminds Shipping (HK) Co Ltd (The “Eternal Bliss”) – QBD (Comm Ct) (Andrew Baker J)[2020] EWHC 2373 (Comm) – 7 September 2020

K Line Pte Ltd v. Priminds Shipping (HK) Co Ltd (The “Eternal Bliss”) – QBD (Comm Ct), 7 September 2020

NORGRAIN – DEMURRAGE – DAMAGES – LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
When vessel was required to wait at anchorage for 31 days due to berth congestion and lack of space for the cargo, the cargo was found to be significantly damaged in the form of mold and caking.  The receiver successfully claimed damages from the owner who in turn claimed it from the charterer.  The charterer claimed owner’s sole recourse was that of demurrage.

FIMBank plc v. KCH Shipping Co Ltd (The “Giant Ace”) – QBD (Comm Ct), 3 July 2020

ARBITRATION TIME BAR – MISDELIVERY OF CARGO – ARBITRATION ACT 1996 – DEMISE CHARTERER

When the bank alleged misdelivery of cargo basis a lack of bills of lading, the lawyers requested an extension of time for arbitration against the owner rather than the demise charterer. The court was then tasked with determining whether the claimant is entitled to an extension of the arbitration time bar.

Euronav NV v. Repsol Trading SA (THE “MARIA”) – QBD (COMM CT), 24 SEPTEMBER 2021

SHELLVOY 6 – DEMURRAGE – TIME BAR – COMPLETION DATE – WHETHER CLAIM TIME-BARRED

On October 23, 2019, The Maria vessel was chartered on a Shellvoy 6 form to carry crude oil from Brazil to different US west coast ports, including Long Beach, California. The issue was if the owners’ claim for US$487K plus interest was time-barred. 

London Arbitration 14/21

DEMURRAGE – DETENTION – DAMAGES – BUNKERS – QUANTUM MERUIT
The vessel arrived at the port and tendered NOR. Charterers declared discharging was not allowed until berthing. Owner initially claimed demurrage then revised it by way of quantum meruit to include the cost of bunkers consumed.

AI Georgis Oil Trading Ltd v. AG Shipping & Energy Pte Ltd (The “Marquessa”) – QBD (Comm Ct), 17 August 2021

SHELLTIME 4 – NON-PAYMENT OF DAILY HIRE – REPUDIATORY BREACH –DAMAGES – MITIGATION OF HIRE VS DAMAGES

When charterer failed to pay hire owner considered this a repudiatory breach of the charter and claimed for this hire and also damages covering delays incurred after the breach.