Club Articles

This page showcases insights from our team and network, covering key judgments, legislation and industry trends. Below you will find hot topics along with all articles throughout the years.

Articles

Know Your LOI Counterparty: Lessons from the Court of Appeal

Letters of Indemnity are common in shipping, often used to address potential liabilities arising from practical issues. While convenient, they carry material legal and financial risks, as highlighted by the recent Court of Appeal decision.

By Alessia Di Pietro

Posted on January 19 2026

By Alessia Di Pietro

Published January 19 2026

Articles

Damages for late redelivery: CA says No change

Court of Appeal overturns Commercial Court decision and holds that owners were entitled to substantial damages even though they could not have taken advantage of the higher market rates.

By Marcia Perucca

Posted on December 04 2025

By Marcia Perucca

Published December 04 2025

Articles

Deposit Denied: UKSC Draws the Line in the King Crude Escrow Saga

The recent Supreme Court decision in King Crude Carriers SA v Ridgebury November LLC [2025] UKSC 39 brings important clarification to the law governing deposit claims under ship sale contracts.

By James Smith

Posted on November 20 2025

By James Smith

Published November 20 2025

Articles

Better watch your ‘back-to-back’

In today’s chartering world, vessel fixtures often run through a chain of supposedly “back-to-back” contracts. But are they really?

This article looks at what “back-to-back” means in practice, where gaps arise, and how Members can avoid being caught in the middle.

By Anna Basta

Posted on November 17 2025

By Anna Basta

Published November 17 2025

Articles

The LILA LISBON - CA allows loss of bargain recovery in MOA cancellation dispute

By Marcia Perucca

Posted on October 08 2025

By Marcia Perucca

Published October 08 2025

Articles

Israel-Turkey Maritime Tensions Rise

New requirements and restrictions on Israeli-flagged, Israeli-operated vessels and prohibition of Turkish-flagged vessels trading with Israel.

By Soti Demetriou

Posted on August 27 2025

By Soti Demetriou

Published August 27 2025

Articles

Navigating Excellence: Inside the Steamship Mutual Member Training Course

By Steamship Mutual

Posted on July 07 2025

By Steamship Mutual

Published July 07 2025

Articles

The Grand Amanda: The Implied Indemnity Revisited

UK High Court clarifies implied indemnities in Sino East Transportation Ltd and Grand Amazon Shipping Ltd.

The case arose from a dispute under a NYPE 1946 charterparty involving the bulk carrier ‘Grand Amanda’, chartered to carry soya beans from Montevideo and Bahia Blanca to China.

By Anna Basta

Posted on August 07 2025

By Anna Basta

Published August 07 2025

Articles

Below Deck - ruling confirms position on declaration of deck cargo

Properly identifying deck cargo is essential to avoid disputes regarding the application of the Hague-Visby Rules.

By Voirrey Davies

Posted on July 31 2025

By Voirrey Davies

Published July 31 2025

Articles

Stipulating to Arbitration in U.S. Crew Employment Contracts: FAQs

This article considers the enforceability of arbitration clauses within U.S. crew employment contracts, the statutory and common law principles applicable, and the benefits of arbitration.

By Owen Mearing

Posted on July 21 2025

By Owen Mearing

Published July 21 2025

Articles

Employment Orders: FAQs

A Charterer’s right to employ the vessel and provide orders to the Master or Owner is a key feature of a time charter. In this article, some of the key points to take into consideration when either giving or considering employment orders are discussed.

By Laura Haddon and Heloise Campbell

Posted on July 02 2025

By Laura Haddon and Heloise Campbell

Published July 02 2025

Articles

Transiting the Strait of Hormuz: War Risk, Unsafe Port and Frustration

By Malcolm Shelmerdine

Posted on June 20 2025

By Malcolm Shelmerdine

Published June 20 2025

Articles

Damages for breach of contract: FAQs

What are damages and how are they calculated? This article considers the relevant principles under English law and looks at key shipping issues and case law.

By Marcia Perucca

Posted on May 29 2025

By Marcia Perucca

Published May 29 2025

Articles

Hold cleaning terms: More Clarity, More Uncertainty?

The DL Lilac case confirms charterers must arrange reinspection without undue delay, but what’s “reasonable” remains unclear. It highlights the need for clearer hold condition clauses to avoid off-hire disputes.

By Catherine Aznar

Posted on May 22 2025

By Catherine Aznar

Published May 22 2025

Articles

Misdelivery: A mere receipt or a contract of carriage?

Misdelivery without a bill of lading carries legal risk, but liability depends on contract context. In The Sienna, the bill became contractual post-novation, yet no loss was found.

By Despoina Kafka

Posted on May 13 2025

By Despoina Kafka

Published May 13 2025

Articles

Once Paramount, Always Paramount: Hague Rules Vs Contractual Provisions

Once the Hague Rules are incorporated via a clause paramount, they take priority over conflicting contract terms. The court confirmed that attempts to shorten the Hague Rules' time limits must be clear.

By Kalia Nicolaou

Posted on May 07 2025

By Kalia Nicolaou

Published May 07 2025

Articles

MSC Flaminia – The Final Word on Limitation

The UK Supreme Court confirmed charterers can limit liability to owners under the 1976 Convention. Only specific claims under Article 2.1 are limitable—not general ship repair costs.

By Voirrey Davies

Posted on May 01 2025

By Voirrey Davies

Published May 01 2025

Articles

Too Late to Litigate: Post-Discharge Misdelivery Claims

The UK Supreme Court ruled that the one-year time bar under the Hague-Visby Rules applies to misdelivery claims even after discharge. This decision in The Giant Ace emphasises the urgency of prompt legal action in maritime disputes.

By Anastasis Kyriakou

Posted on May 01 2025

By Anastasis Kyriakou

Published May 01 2025

Articles

The Revised USTR Plan to Impose Port Fees on Chinese Vessels and Operators

The Revised USTR Plan imposes phased fees on Chinese-owned, operated, and built vessels at U.S. ports starting October 14, 2025. It also includes long-term LNG shipping restrictions and potential tariffs on maritime equipment to promote U.S.-built alternatives.

By Lauren Wilgus

Posted on April 23 2025

By Lauren Wilgus

Published April 23 2025

Articles

Notice of Readiness: FAQs

A Notice of Readiness (“NOR”) is an important document, under a voyage charter it represents the delivery of the vessel into the charter service and will likely play an important role in the commencement of laytime.

Disputes relating to laytime, including the validity of the Notice of Readiness, are common and the below is intended to be a short summary of the main principles relating to tender of an NOR.

By Pushpa Pandya

Posted on April 15 2025

By Pushpa Pandya

Published April 15 2025

Articles

U.S. Fees on Chinese Built, Owned and Operated Vessels

Guide for Members on Potential Legal Issues

Last Updated 02 May 2025

By Ceri Done

Posted on April 11 2025

By Ceri Done

Published April 11 2025

Articles

The Arbitration Act 2025 - Key Changes

The Arbitration Act 2025 introduces key updates to modernise arbitration law, including a new default rule for arbitration agreements, enhanced tribunal powers, and clarified court support.

By Marcia Perucca

Posted on March 19 2025

By Marcia Perucca

Published March 19 2025

Articles

Update from Greece: Limitless? Not this time!

The recently published Greek Supreme Court decision number 1806/2023 reaffirmed shipowners’ right to limit liability under the LLMC 1976 Convention for maritime claims in the event of a collision, in respect of losses arising out of Master’s personal acts or omissions, but not out of shipowners’ personal acts or omissions.

By Panagiotis Adamos

Posted on March 05 2025

By Panagiotis Adamos

Published March 05 2025

Articles

When is a seaman, not a seaman (II)?

The U.S 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Santee v Oceaneering International Inc of 12th March 2024 was discussed in – “When is a seaman, not a seaman (I)?”. The decision was that Santee was not a member of the crew and the court held that he had fraudulently pleaded his status as a Jones Act Seaman working as a remote operated vehicle (ROV) technician aboard a drillship on the Outer Continental Shelf.

By Frederick Phillips

Posted on November 07 2024

By Frederick Phillips

Published November 07 2024

Articles

What’s Affected – the Vessel or the Port?

Following speculation concerning the allocation of delays attributable to COVID-19, a recent English High Court decision considers the widely used BIMCO Infectious or Contagious Diseases Clause for Time Charter Parties.

By Angeliki Panera

Posted on March 13 2025

By Angeliki Panera

Published March 13 2025

Articles

Fuel EU Maritime Overview

With thanks to Beth Bradley (Partner), Sophie Pollard (Legal Director) and Gabriella Matthews (Trainee) of Hill Dickinson

By Hill Dickinson

Posted on March 10 2025

By Hill Dickinson

Published March 10 2025

Articles

Off-Hire: FAQs

Off-hire clauses are a critical component of time charter agreements. For both Owners and Charterers alike, understanding the nuances of these clauses is essential in managing disputes, and ensuring operational clarity.

By Sophie Cordonnier

Posted on February 13 2025

By Sophie Cordonnier

Published February 13 2025

Articles

The Star Antares – More Than An Average Decision?

In the case of Star Axe I LLC v Royal Sun Alliance Luxembourg SA and others, The Star Antares [2023] EWHC 2784, the English High Court has clarified a long standing debate by finding that the York Antwerp Rules 2016 are incorporated into the Congenbill 1994 when General Average is agreed to be adjusted “according to York-Antwerp Rules 1994, or any subsequent modification thereof.”

By Michael Cox

Posted on January 19 2025

By Michael Cox

Published January 19 2025

Articles

Previous Years

Click here to find all club articles throughout the years

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Club Articles

Latest Articles

Know Your LOI Counterparty: Lessons from the Court of Appeal

Damages for late redelivery: CA says No change

Deposit Denied: UKSC Draws the Line in the King Crude Escrow Saga

Better watch your ‘back-to-back’

The LILA LISBON - CA allows loss of bargain recovery in MOA cancellation dispute

Israel-Turkey Maritime Tensions Rise

Navigating Excellence: Inside the Steamship Mutual Member Training Course

The Grand Amanda: The Implied Indemnity Revisited

Below Deck - ruling confirms position on declaration of deck cargo

Stipulating to Arbitration in U.S. Crew Employment Contracts: FAQs

Employment Orders: FAQs

Transiting the Strait of Hormuz: War Risk, Unsafe Port and Frustration

Damages for breach of contract: FAQs

Hold cleaning terms: More Clarity, More Uncertainty?

Misdelivery: A mere receipt or a contract of carriage?

Once Paramount, Always Paramount: Hague Rules Vs Contractual Provisions

MSC Flaminia – The Final Word on Limitation

Too Late to Litigate: Post-Discharge Misdelivery Claims

The Revised USTR Plan to Impose Port Fees on Chinese Vessels and Operators

Notice of Readiness: FAQs

U.S. Fees on Chinese Built, Owned and Operated Vessels

The Arbitration Act 2025 - Key Changes

Update from Greece: Limitless? Not this time!

When is a seaman, not a seaman (II)?

What’s Affected – the Vessel or the Port?

Fuel EU Maritime Overview

Off-Hire: FAQs

The Star Antares – More Than An Average Decision?

Previous Years