Upload
dina-hall
View
214
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Payments under problem charters – the continuing effectiveness of the lien
David PitlargeDavid Pitlarge
PartnerPartnerMarine, Trade and EnergyMarine, Trade and Energy
1. Introduction: continuing relevance
• What you might achieve• Alternative rights to recovery
– Rule B– Freezing orders– Payment orders– Possessory Liens/Cargo
2. Introduction: Where to find it
• NYPE 1946 – Clause 18: “The Owners shall have a lien upon…all sub-freights for any amounts due under this charter”…
• Other “sub-freight” clauses:– Baltime 1939 – Clause 17
– Gastime – Clause 24
– Linertime - Clause 20
– Intertanktime 80- clause 27
– Barecon ’89 ( but not 2001, which includes sub hire and b/l freight)
2. Introduction: Where to find it cont’d
• Wider terms/sub-hires:
– NYPE 1993 – Clause 23
– Boxtime 2004 – Clause 15 (B)
– BPtime 3 – Clause 14
– Gentime – Clause 14(D)
• Offshore/ salvage: Supplytime – Clause 19 (“lien on all cargoes and
equipment”) – Wreckhire 2010 / Wreckstage 2010
3. Nature of the Lien
• Not a lien as such– Not possessory– Contracts: cargo, – General law: Freight, GA, unpaid seller, shares
• Distinct from maritime lien• Equitable assignment and the rival theories: “the Western
Moscow” – (Western Bulk Shipowning III A/S v Carbofer Maritime Trading APS and Others [2012] EWHC (Comm).
4. What it covers/wording
• “Sub-freights”…does not include sub hire …
• “The Cebu No.1” – Cave Shipping Corporation v Latin American Shipping Corporation [1983] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 302
• “The Cebu No. 2” – Itex Itagrain Export S.A. v Cave Shipping Corporation and Others [1990] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 316
• “The Bulk Chile” – Dry Bulk Handy Holding Inc and Another v Fayette International Holdings Ltd and Another [2012] EWHC 2107 (Comm)
5. What it covers:The “Bulk Chile”
chain: tc DBHH/ CSAV; tc CSAV/KLC; tct KLC/Fayette; vc Fayette /Metinvest….owners’ bill, Metinvest as shippers
• KLC fail to pay – rehabilitation in Korea , recognised subsequently under Cross Border Insolvency Regulations
• Notice served on Fayette and Metinvest; Metinvest pay freight to Fayette
• “Owners” could recover: b/l freight, v/c freight (even though not payable as of notice date)…and for post withdrawal service
5. What it covers:
• So we can look at…• Sub freight, perhaps hire• Sub , sub freight ( and, if provided for , sub, sub hire)• “Assignments of assignments”: charterers’ and sub
charterers’ rights to receive• Bill of lading freight ( free-standing right , see The Spiros
C” [2000] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 319, “The Bulk Chile”) ….BUT this is technically a different right and a function of the owner’s contract with the shipper.
6. Execution and Priorities
•Notice requirements per the “Bulk Chile”:
1.-owners assignees of debts owed/ to be owed
2.- what debts assigned
3.- an amount due under head charter- an amount; not how much…no breakdown required
4.-owner requires payment of assigned debt directly •Effective on service•Priorities
7. Risks, Challenges and Disputes
(A) The Risk:
• Double jeopardy• “Attika Hope” -[1988] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 439
8. Risks, challenges and Disputes
(B) Challenges
• The language of the clause• Registration: “The Ugland Trailer” – Re Welsh Irish Ferries Ltd
(in Receivership and in Liquidation) [1985] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 372• “The Anangel Glory [1988] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 45• Companies Act 2006 s. 860 ( replacing s.395 CA 1985)
9. Risks, Challenges and Disputes
(C) Disputes:• Forum for determination of the lien rights• Forum for the assigned claim (see the “Western
Moscow”)• The impact of foreign insolvencies - Cosco Bulk
Carrier Co. Ltd v Armada Shipping SA and another Re Armada Shipping SA [2011] EWHC 216 (Ch)) :- Cosco/ Armada/ STX- Armada in liquidation in Switzerland; lien issues to be determined in London arbitration as per c/p
10. Summary and Practical Tips
• Drafting – as wide as possible– BIMCO Lien clause:
– In addition to c/p lien clause
– Any sums due under any sub charterperties (in addition to freights and sub freights)
– Lien on bunkers
– Vesting of property in bunkers on withdrawal.
• Consider registration issues at the outset
10. Summary and Practical Tips
• Timely service of effective notices• Notice to the proper parties• Consider deductions• Forum for disputes• Pragmatic solutions and escrow
For further information please contact:
David Pitlarge - Partner Hill Dickinson
Direct Dial +44 (0)20 7280 9251Email [email protected]
Fax +44 (0)20 7283 1144
Website www.hilldickinson.com