London Arbitration 8/25

Charterparty – Amended NYPE 1946 form – COVID-19 PCR test certification – Rejection at Chinese port – Owner’s Deviation – Seaworthy – Off-hire A vessel chartered under an amended NYPE 1946 form was denied entry to Nanjing, China, because eight newly joined crew members lacked PCR certificates meeting local COVID-19 entry requirements. The vessel had to divert to Busan for testing before returning to Nanjing, causing delay and additional costs. Charterers sought damages, arguing the vessel was unfit for service on arrival, while Owners contended that compliance with local health regulations was the Charterers’ responsibility and that the PCR certificates were not required under the charterparty’s definition of “international certificates.”