Cover Story

The Court of Appeal Confirms that Failure to Pay Charter Hire is Not a Breach of Condition

What happens when a time charterer fails to pay hire? Will it constitute a breach of condition which entitles the shipowner to terminate the charterparty and claim damages? In 2013, the English Commercial Court held that the answer to the above question is “yes”. However, recently the Court of Appeal decided otherwise...

Shipping News Highlights

• Hanjin to offload Asia-US assets to Korea Line for $32m
• Pacific Radiance issues arbitration notices to two Chinese shipbuilders
• Cosco Hyundai Merchant Marine launches direct service to Vietnam
• Swiber to sell laid up vessel for $10.3m

Recent Cases Highlights

• Vinnlustodin HF and Another v Sea Tank Shipping AS (The “Aqasia”)
• Versloot Dredging BV and Another v HDI Gerling Industrie Versicherung AG and Others
• Star Polaris LLC v HHIC-Phil Inc  

Shipping Q & A

Conducting Maritime Arbitration in Hong Kong (Part I)

The use of arbitration as a mechanism for resolving shipping disputes has a very long pedigree in most maritime nations. In Hong Kong, there has also been a phenomenal growth of arbitration in the recent years. Given its informal and confidential nature, arbitration is often the more preferable option for businesses to resolve their disputes as it is usually relatively less damaging to the business reputation of the parties in dispute...

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