When it comes to route selection, there can sometimes be a tension between charterers’ voyage orders and master’s navigational discretion. Three recent London Arbitration decisions—10/25, 11/25, and 12/25—demonstrate how tribunals approach this balance. The consistent thread is—the master may disregard charterers’ instructions if there are genuine safety reasons, supported by evidence. Route selection for convenience or where not supported by evidence will not be upheld. Lond

The shift to dual-fuel LNG vessels introduces new complexities for seafarers, requiring additional knowledge, certifications, and...

As COVID-19 cases reportedly rise in many countries, two recent legal decisions are particularly significant for the shipping industry....

Modern day route planning requires a balance between adhering to charterer-provided weather routing advise and Masters exercising their...

During Covid, there were several instances where the vessels suffered delays until they could provide evidence to the authorities showing...

Vessels occasionally use local paper charts when entering & leaving ports instead of charts issued by BA or other agencies, for reasons...

Under English law there is no maritime lien for bunkers supplied whereas under US law it is the opposite. What if the bunker contract is...

If a vessel is quarantined due to a COVID positive case onboard then who bears the risk? Charterers would want to put the vessel off-hire...

Voyage charterparties normally specify how many safe ports/berths charterers can ask the vessel to proceed to. If the vessel needs to...

Vessels being put off-hire for cargo holds failing inspection at the load port is not that uncommon. But what if charterers make it clear...

C/P clauses entitling owners to deviate for crew change were and perhaps still are necessary. What if after carrying out the crew change,...

Hull cleaning clauses or prolonged port stays clauses are fairly common in time charterparties. Cleaning of the hull is normally on...