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

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

Who is liable when a dangerous cargo shipment explodes during the voyage, the carrier or the shipper? This question becomes particularly...

Hull fouling clauses in charterparties often state that ‘underwater cleaning of hull is always at charterers' time and expense’. What is...

In dry trade it is common to see C/P clauses where all aspects of cargo operations are carried out under Master’s supervision but under...

When there is a cargo fire and that consequently damages the vessel also, then can the time charterer limit its liability towards the...

A time charterer is relived of the obligation to pay hire under an off-hire provision. But what if the payment of hire clause is worded...

To avoid US sanctions, Charterers sometime make payments to owners in currencies other than USD. What if the C/P provides that freight is...

Can a time charterer be held accountable to third parties for damage done by the ship, the root causes of which were connected to the...

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...

If a bank exercises its ship mortgage maritime lien and arrests a vessel for owner’s default, then a time charterer as provider of...

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...