21-03-2023 / Maritime

In this charterparty dispute, the arbitral tribunal rejected the Owners’ claim for damages for breach of the safe port warranty in a time charterparty, after a laden bulk carrier grounded at the entrance to the port of Chaozhou, China, while under compulsory pilotage. It also held that the vessel was unseaworthy, in breach of Article III.1 of the Hague Rules, due to lack of proper charts, but found on the facts that this was not causative of the grounding.

15-03-2023 / Maritime

On 15 March 2022, the UK’s Law Commission published its report, with draft legislation, for the legal recognition of electronic trade documents. One year later, the Electronic Trade Documents Bill introduced to the House of Lords is at the Report stage of the legislative process.

07-03-2023 / Maritime

In the recent case of PJSC National Bank Trust v. Boris Mints, the Court confirmed that sanctioned entities have a fundamental right of access to the English courts. In this case, the Court has made it clear that a defendant will not be permitted to delay any legitimate proceedings against him beyond what is reasonable on the basis that his sanctioned status may prevent him getting a fair trial.

01-03-2023 / Maritime

On appeal from an arbitration award, the Court has agreed with the tribunal that there should be an implied term in the charterparty regarding the charterers’ obligations to arrange for a hold reinspection after a failed inspection. However, it has disagreed with the tribunal’s conclusion on whether this implied term had been breached.

24-02-2023 / Maritime

This is the first collision case since the Supreme Court decision in the Ever Smart, in which the Admiralty Court has applied the crossing rules. This article discusses the Court's decision, which is unusual because of the finding of 100% liability against one vessel.

24-02-2023 / Maritime

The international maritime industry is increasingly developing and relying on various levels of automation both onshore and on board. The IMO is leading the way forward and, among other things, has been taking a leading and proactive role in the introduction of commercially operated ships in autonomous mode.