Lloyd's Shipping & Trade Law

No right to limit: independent contractors In The SPM 125, the Federal Court of Canada considered whether those with a contractual relationship with the shipowner can limit their liability under global tonnage conventions.

Bulk cargoes and package limitationThe facts The dispute arose out of damage to a cargo of fishoil which was carried on board the vessel Aqasia pursuant to a charterparty entered into between the defendant as the disponent owner and the claimants as the shippers and the insurers on 23 August 2013.

A glimmer of hope for physical suppliers?The facts In October 2014 the shipowners, Aratos Maritime Ltd, concluded a contract for the supply of bunkers with OW Malta (“the contractual suppliers”), at a price of US$875 per mt of fuel plus US$1,000 for bunkering expenses, payable within 30 days from the next day of delivery.

On 1 January 2017 amendments to the Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers 1978 (Part A) – better known as STCW – and the STCW Code (Part B) related to the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-Flashpoint Fuels will enter into force. The amendments have already had a significant impact as they require additional certification and training, with refreshing requirements.

Mareva injunctions in Hong KongThe facts In 2012 Hin-Pro shipped goods for carriage to Venezuela from various ports in the People’s Republic of China (the PRC) under bills of lading issued by CSAV.