Category: English Maritime Cases
GENCON – DEMURRAGE/DESPATCH – CAN USED LAYTIME BE PRO-RATED BASIS THE NUMBER OF HATCHES WORKED – DID A WEATHER DELAY OCCUR – DID CHARTER JUSTIFY DEDUCTIONS DURING NIGHTTIME
Regarding demurrage incurred, the charterer believed that the used laytime needed to be pro-rated basis the amount of hatches being worked at any given time. Additionally, the charterer requested deductions for bad weather and the times the ship was not working during nighttime hours. The owner disagreed with these points, and took the case to arbitration.
BALTIMORE FORM C BERTH GRAIN VOYAGE CHARTER – CARGO SHORT LOADED - BUYER DEMANDS DISCOUNT FROM CHARTERER AFFILIATED SELLER – CHARTERER CLAIMS DAMAGES IN THE FORM OF THE DISCOUNT FROM OWNER – WHETHER DISCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE OF DAMAGES - WHETHER CHARTERER EVEN LIABLE FOR LOSSES
After a vessel was short loaded, the charterer affiliated seller had to sell the cargo at a discount due to buyer’s demands. The charterer then claimed damages from the owner in the form of the discount, arguing that the vessel was at fault for the short load. The owner rejected this, and the charterer brought the case to arbitration.
TIME CHARTER – HOLD INSPECTION FAILED – WHETHER DELAY IN RE-BERTHING AFTER HOLDS CLEANED AND PASSED INSPECTION OFF HIRE
Upon arrival at the load port, the vessel’s holds failed inspection. After the holds were cleaned, the vessel was re-entered into the berthing queue. Charterer claimed the second delay in berthing was due to the holds failing inspection whereas owner claimed it was due to berth congestion.
TIME CHARTER - VESSEL FAILED SPEED WARRANTY DUE TO FOULING, ITSELF RESULTING FROM A PROLONGED WAIT IN TROPICAL WATERS - WHETHER FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SPEED THE RESULT OF COMPLIANCE WITH CHARTERER'S ORDERS
Due to an underperformance caused by fouling on the Vessel, itself caused by extended stay in tropical waters as ordered by charterer, charterer claimed off hire. Owner countered stating the underperformance resulted from compliance with the charterer’s orders.
TIME CHARTER – PIRACY CLAUSE – OWNER TAKES SHORTEST ROUTE THROUGH DANGEROUS WATERS - ADDED SECURITY AND INSURANCE OBTAINED – CHARTERER CLAIMS THEIR PROVIDED ROUTE WAS SAFE – OWNER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS
A vessel was chartered to conduct a voyage from New Orleans to India. The Owner of the vessel traveled the shortest route possible, through a high piracy risk area, ignoring the Charterer’s order to proceed via a safer route. The Owner supported their decision by saying that it saved on steaming and bunker costs, and claimed reimbursement for insurance and the extra security obtained.
NORGRAIN 89 – HOLDS REJECTED – NOR RE-TENDERED AFTER LAYCAN – LAYCAN EXTENSION AGREED TO SUBJECT TO OWNER ACCEPTING CARRYING CHARGES – OWNER DID NOT RESPOND TO CHARTERER’S EXTENSION REQUIREMENT - OWNER CLAIMED DEMURRAGE – CHARTERER CLAIMED FOR CARRYING CHARGES
With a prior NOR being deemed invalid due to holds being rejected, the vessel tendering NOR after the laycan but within a laycan extension. The Charterer stated the laycan extension was amenable subject to carrying charges being for owner’s account. Owner was silent when confronted with this requirement. Upon completion of the voyage, the owner claimed demurrage. The charterer rejected this claim, and counterclaimed for carrying charges.
NYPE TIME CHARTER - UNDERPERFORMANCE - SHORT LOAD - BALANCE OF ACCOUNT - LMAA SMALL CLAIMS PROCEDURE - WHETHER CHARTERER OR OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR COST OF SURVEYOR AND CRANE HIRE - SUEZ CANAL NRT - WITHOUT PREJUDICE AGREEMENT LATER REVOKED
The redelivery of a vessel from an 18 month time charter resulted in charterer withholding hire due to vessel short loading, claiming underperformance in regards to speed, and claiming damages related to a misrepresented Suez Canal NRT. Owner countered all of these and likewise claimed for the cost of surveyors present whilst de-bunkering and the cost of a shore crane.
TIME CHARTERS NOVATED UPON NEW VESSEL OWNERSHIP - WHETHER NEW TIME CHARTERS ARE TO UPHOLD THE SAME SPEED AND PERFORMANCE WARRANTIES AS ORIGINAL CHARTERS - TRUE CONSTRUCTION OF CHARTERPARTIES
Time charters contained speed and consumption warranties. Upon new ownership these charters included a phrase which owner contended replaced the original warranties with a warranty that the vessels would perform as they were the minute the new charters were concluded. Charterer disagreed and the panel was tasked to determine which warranties were contained in the new charters.
TIME CHARTER/ SUB-CHARTER – CARGO SHORTAGE AND CARGO DAMAGE – CLAIM SETTLED BETWEEN REGISTERED OWNER AND RECEIVER – DISPONENT OWNER DISPUTES COST ALLOCATION – WHETHER COSTS TO BE APPORTIONED WITH CHARTERER
A vessel was time chartered by a registered owner to a disponent owner, and then subsequently spot chartered to a sub-charterer to transport sugar. After the voyage, it was discovered that there was a cargo shortage and damaged and lost cargo. After the registered owner concluded a settlement with the receivers for damages, the registered owner attempted to collect the same amount from the disponent owner with an apportionment of the costs subsequently coming into question.
TIME CHARTER - DEFINITION OF REDELIVERY - WHETHER REDELIVERY MUST STRICTLY ADHERE TO CHARTERPARTY TERMS - WHETHER VESSEL IN FACT REDELIVERED TO OWNER
Under a time-charter, Charterer and Owner disputed the redelivery of a vessel. An arbitration panel determined the legal test in respect of redelivery and applied the facts surrounding the case. Albeit not redelivered as stipulated within the charter, the panel majority concluded the ship had been properly redelivered but Owner applied for permission to appeal the ruling to the High Court.
