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Summary

The “Atlantic Tonjer” [2019] EWHC 1213 (Comm) is thought to be the first reported judgment on SupplyTime 2017. The decision clarifies the meaning of clause 12(e) of the standard form, which requires Charterers to notify Owners by no later than the due date of an invoice, if they reasonably believe that the invoice is incorrect. The Court construed clause 12(e) in its commercial setting, highlighting the equal bargaining power of the parties and the importance of cash flow to Owners as key features. It found that, on its proper construction, clause 12(e) means that Charterers cannot later raise a defence to payment of an invoice of which Charterers have failed to notify Owners by way of a valid notice prior to its due date. Whilst this does not impact on Charterers’ right under 12(g) or their right to raise a counterclaim, it serves as a reminder that courts have little sympathy for commercial parties that have misunderstood the letter of their bargain. It provides a valuable insight into the judicial approach to SupplyTime 2017 and standard form charterparties negotiated between commercial parties generally. Parties are advised to negotiate standard form charterparties cautiously and know exactly what their contracts say.

The “Atlantic Tonjer” – the first glimpse of the judicial approach to interpreting SupplyTime 2017

On 14 May 2019, the High Court handed down its judgment in Boskalis Offshore Marine Contracting BV v Atlantic Marine and Aviation LLP (the “Atlantic Tonjer”) [2019] EWHC 1213 (Comm). This is thought to be the first reported judgment on the BIMCO SupplyTime 2017 standard form.

“SupplyTime” was first published in 1975 and, now in its third revision, is one of BIMCO’s most widely used forms.  It is considered to be the industry standard form for the chartering of offshore vessels. The 2017 revision included amendments to the payments provision at clause 12(e), and this dispute gave the Court (Sir Ross Cranston sitting as Deputy Judge) the opportunity to clarify the effect of the revised clause 12(e), as well as to consider SupplyTime2017 generally.

Background
Continue Reading The “Atlantic Tonjer” – the first glimpse of the judicial approach to interpreting SupplyTime 2017

Summary

The Court of Appeal’s decision in Ark Shipping Co LLC v. Silverburn Shipping (IOM) Ltd, “ARCTIC”  [2019] EWCA Civ 1161, provides a clear statement of the principles of construction, and how they are applied in ascertaining whether a term is a condition or an innominate term.

This decision provides guidance on the proper interpretation of parties’ continuing obligations during the life of a bareboat charterparty in relation to matters such as classification status, and the consequences if a charterer fails to fulfil such obligations. It also demonstrates the Court’s reluctance to classify contractual terms as conditions, where the risk of disproportionate consequences outweighs the advantages of commercial certainty.

While this case is particularly relevant to bareboat charterers, it is also anticipated to have implications for the interpretation of similar obligations in a time charter context.

Ark Shipping Company LLC v. Silverburn Shipping (IoM) Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 1161

In a judgment of 10 July 2019, the Court of Appeal heard an appeal of a High Court decision dated 22 February 2019, where an appeal from an LMAA arbitration award was brought pursuant to s. 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996.

FactsContinue Reading MV “ARCTIC” – Obligation to “keep vessel in class” is an innominate term

In Dera Commercial Estate v. Derya Inc [2018] EWHC 1673, the Commercial Court considered several issues of interest arising out of Article III Rule 6 of the Hague Rules ( “Article III Rule 6”), in the context of a bill of lading for the carriage of maize destined for Jordan which, on arrival, was not allowed into the country by the Jordanian customs authorities, due to damage and “apparent fungus”.  Although, after various efforts to reverse the decision of the customs authorities, the local court gave permission to fumigate the cargo on board the vessel in the hope of preserving its condition, the vessel nevertheless sailed to Turkey, where the cargo was ultimately discharged and sold pursuant to a judicial sale order.
Continue Reading Dera Commercial Estate v. Derya Inc [2018] EWHC 1673

In Robert Bou-Simon v. BGC Brokers LP [2018] EWCA Civ 1525, the Court of Appeal considered deleted provisions and implied terms. Although in the context of an employment contract, the decision obviously has wider application.

The Court held that the judge at first instance had not properly applied the legal test for the implication of

In Rock Advertising Limited v MWB Business Exchange Centres Limited  [2018] UKSC 24, the Supreme Court has handed down a decision which has provided further certainty in the area of no oral variation /modification clauses, albeit in doing so it has overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal referred to previously in our blog of 7 July 2016.

The wording considered was “All variations to this Licence must be agreed, set out in writing and signed on behalf of both parties before they take effect”. The question was whether the schedule of payments had been revised orally.Continue Reading Future proofing your contracts – ‘anti-oral variation’ clauses require even more thought

Navigators Insurance Company Limited v Atlasnavios-Navegacao LDA [2018] UKSC 26

In a decision handed down yesterday (22 May) the Supreme  Court  held that where a vessel was used by unknown third parties in an unsuccessful attempt to export cocaine from Venezuela (by strapping a parcel of drugs to the vessel underwater), leading to a detention of the vessel by Venezuelan authorities for more than 6 months, the Owners were not entitled to recover the vessel’s insured value from the vessel’s war risk insurers.Continue Reading Venezuelan drug smuggling – CTL and recovery for detention under Institute clauses

In the Aconcagua Bay [2018] EWHC 654, the Commercial Court Judge differentiated “always accessible” from “reachable on arrival”, holding that the term berth “always accessible” refers not only to entry, but also to the departure of the vessel from berth.

On the facts of the case, a bridge and lock were damaged whilst the