Admiralty & Maritime Cases - Singapore NPA logo with link NPA logo with link

Admiralty & Maritime Cases - Singapore

Listing by year

A selection of decisions (with links to full text where available)

2024

28 February 2024: KFW IPEX-Bank GMBH v Owner of the Vessel "World Dream" (IMO NO 9733117) [2024] SGHC 56

9 February 2024: The "Sea Justice" [2024] SGHC 37

19 January 2024: Golden Pacific Shipping & Holdings Pte Ltd v Arc Marine Engineering Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 15

2023

29 December 2023: The “Sea Justice” [2023] SGHCR 24

20 December 2023: Bumi Jaya Salvage & Engineering Sdn Bhd v Brave Worth Shipping Co Ltd [2023] SGHCR 21

18 December 2023: Vallianz Shipbuilding & Engineering Pte Ltd v Owner of the vessel “ECO SPARK” [2023] SGHC 353

29 November 2023: Marchand Navigation Co v Olam Global Agri Pte Ltd and Another [2023] SGHC 339

21 September 2023: The "Navigator Aries" [2023] SGCA 26

20 September 2023: Seatrium New Energy Ltd (formerly known as Keppel FELS Ltd) v HJ Shipbuilding & Construction Co, Ltd (formerly known as Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co Ltd) [2023] SGHC 264

7 July 2023: Owner of the Vessel “Navigator Aries” v Owner of the Vessel “Leo Perdana” [2023] SGCA 20

3 May 2023: Chubb Insurance Singapore Ltd v Sizer Metals Pte Ltd [2023] SGHC(A) 17 (pdf)

2022

17 October 2022: The “Jeil Crystal” [2022] SGCA 66 (pdf)

27 September 2022:  Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Ltd v Maersk Tankers Singapore Pte Ltd [2022] SGHC 242 

31 August 2022: PT Adidaya Energy Mandiri v MS First Captial Insurance Ltd [2022] SGHC(I) 14

8 April 2022: ING Bank NV, Singapore Branch v The Demise Charterer of the Ship or Vessel “Navig8 Ametrine” [2022] SGHCR 5

2021

30 December 2021: The “Jeil Crystal” [2021] SGHC 292 

6 August 2021: The “Big Fish” [2021] SGHCR 7

22 Feb 2021: The "Caraka Jaya Niaga III-11" [2021] SGHC 43

15 Jan 2021: The "Ocean Winner" and Other Matters [2021] SGHC 8

2020

28 Sep 2020: The "Echo Star" Ex "Gas Infinity" [2020] SGHC 200

22 Jul 2020: Thoresen Shipping Singapore Pte Ltd and Others v Global Symphony SA and Others [2020] SGHC 153

24 Jan 2020: Hai Jiang 1401 Pte Ltd v Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd  [2020] SGHC 20

2019

30 Jul 2019: Hansa  Safety Services GmbH v The Owner of the Vessel, the “King Darwin” [2019] SGHC  177

4 Jun 2019: Wilmar  Trading Pte Ltd v Heroic Warrior Inc (The "Bum Chin") [2019] SGHC 143

24 Mar 2019: The "Yue You 902" and another Matter [2019] SGHC 106

8 Mar 2019: The "Mount Apo" and the "Hanjin Ras Laffan" [2019] SGHC 57

23 Jan 2019: Simpson Marine (SEA) Pte Ltd v Jiacipto Jiaravanon [2019] SGCA 7

2018

3 Oct 2018: The "Long Bright" [2018] SGHC 216 (pdf)

7 Sep 2018: The "Swiber Concorde" [2018] SGHC 197 (pdf)

21 May 2018: Diablo Fortune Inc v Duncan, Cameron Lindsay and another [2018] SGCA 26 (pdf)

20 Apr 2018: The "Tian E Zuo" [2018] SGHC 93 (pdf)

2017

23 Nov 2017: Toptip Holding Pte Ltd v Mercuria Energy Trading Pte Ltd and another appeal - [2017] SGCA 64 (pdf)

12 Sep 2017: The "Dream Star" - [2017] SGHC 220

31 Aug 2017: DSA Consultancy (FZC) v The "Eurohope" - [2017] SGHC 218

7 Jun 2017: "The Posidon" and another matter [2017] SGHC 138

2016

5 Sep 2016: The "Min Rui" - [2016] SGHC 183

1 Sep 2016: Toptip Holding Pte Ltd v Mercuria Energy Trading Pte Ltd - [2016] SGHC 173

23 Jun 2016: The "PWM Supply" ex "Crest Supply 1" [2016] SGHC 117

20 May 2016:The "Star Quest" and others [2016] SGHC 100

18 May 2016: The "Xin Chang Shu" [2016] SGHC 93

25 Jul 2016: Likpin International Ltd v Swiber Holdings Ltd and another - [2016] SGCA 48

29 Mar 2016: The "Bunga Melati 5" [2016] SGCA 20

20 Jan 2016: The "Chem Orchid" and another matter [2016] SGCA 4

4 Dec 2016: The "Xin Chang Shu" [2015] SGHC 308

2015

26 Oct 2015: The "Vinalines Pioneer" [2015] SGHC 278

1 Oct 2015: Likpin International Ltd v Swiber Holdings Ltd and another [2015] SGHC 248

11 Aug 2015: The "Xin Chang Shu" [2015] SGHCR 17

31 Jul 2015: Freight Connect (S) Pte Ltd v Paragon Shipping Pte Ltd [2015] SGCA 37

22 Jul 2015:  The "Bunga Melati 5" [2015] SGHC 190

6 Apr 2015: The "URSUS" and other matters - [2015] SGHCR 7

18 Feb 2015: The "Chem Orchid" - [2015] SGHC 50

2014

12 Dec 2014: The "Vinalines Pioneer" - [2015] SGHCR 01

14 Oct 2014: The "Orinoco Star" [2014] SGHCR 19

26 Aug 2014: Paragon Shipping Pte Ltd v Freight Connect (S) Pte Ltd [2014] SGHC 165

27 Jun 2014: STX Mumbai [2014] SGHC 122

2013

30 Aug 2013: The "Turtle Bay" - [2013] SGHC 165

2012

29 Aug 2012: The "Makassar Caraka Jaya Niaga III-39" SGHC 175

29 Aug 2012: The "Pontianak Caraka Jaya Niaga III-34" SGHC 176

21 Aug 2012: The "Bunga Melati 5" - [2012] SGCA 46  

31 Jan 2012: The "Reecon Wolf" [2012] SGHC 22

2011

30 Dec 2011: The "Dolphina" [2011] SGHC 273

23 Aug 2011: The "Bunga Melati 5" [2011] SGHC 195

30 Mar 2011: The "Oriental Baltic" - [2011] SGHC 75

17 Feb 2011: The "Rainbow Star" - [2011] SGHC 35

31 Jan 2011: The "Sahand" and other applications - [2011] SGHC 27  

2010

25 Oct 2010: The "Pontianak Caraka Jaya Niaga III-34" - [2010] SGHC 314  

25 Oct 2010: The "Makassar Caraka Jaya Niaga III-39" - [2010] SGHC 313  

19 Oct 2010: The "Pontianak Caraka Jaya Niaga III-34" - [2010] SGHC 307

25 Oct 2010: The "Pontianak Caraka Jaya Niaga III-34" - [2010] SGHC 314  

25 Oct 2010: The "Makassar Caraka Jaya Niaga III-39" - [2010] SGHC 313  

19 Oct 2010: The "Pontianak Caraka Jaya Niaga III-34" - [2010] SGHC 307

19 Oct 2010: The "Makassar Caraka Jaya Niaga III-39" - [2010] SGHC 306  

25 Mar 2010: The "Engedi" - [2010] SGHC 95  

19 Mar 2010: The "Asia Star" - [2010] SGCA 12

10 Mar 2010: The "Eagle Prestige" - [2010] SGHC 93  

15 Jan 2010: The "Catur Samudra" - [2010] SGHC 18

2009

9 Jan 2009: The "Banga Borat" [2009] SGHC 10

2008

22 Dec 2008: The Oriental Insurance Co Ltd v Reliance National Asia Re Pte Ltd [2008] SGHC 236

16 May 2008: Regalindo Resources Pte Ltd v Seatrek Trans Pte Ltd [2008] SGHC 74

2007

31 Jul 2007 : The "Vasiliy Golovnin" [2007] SGHC 116
Admiralty – action in rem – charter party – amended New York Produce Exchange (NYPE) terms – port of discharge named in three of the four bills of lading – change of discharge port – damage to cargo – setting aside of warrant of arrest of chartered vessel – failure to disclose material facts – issue estoppel – refusal to order damages for wrongful arrest of sister ship High Court (Admiralty Jurisdiction) Act (Cap 123, 1985 Rev Ed), s 3(1)(g)and (h).

27 Jul 2007: PT Soonlee Metalindo Perkasa v Synergy Shipping Pte Ltd (Freighter Services Pte Ltd, Third Party) [2007] SGHC 121
CARRIAGE OF GOODS – loss of cargo – action for breach of contract – incorporation of limitation clauses – claim against third party for indemnity based on contract for supply of barge – unseaworthiness of vessel.

30 Mar 2007: Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd v Samudera Shipping Line Ltd [2007] SGHC 41
Action in tort – loss of cargo – arbitration agreement – application to stay the arbitration proceedings – whether plaintiff is party to the arbitration agreement – Arbitration Act (Cap 10, 2002 Rev Ed) s 6.

27 Mar 2007: The "Asia Star" [2007] SGCA 17
CARRIAGE OF GOODS – Appeal – Charterparty – Vegoilvoy Tanker Voyage Charterparty 1950, cll 1, 15 and 17 – vessel unfit to carry the designated cargo – cancellation of charterparty – whether there was a breach of the term relating to the vessel's description – "epoxy coated" – "minimal" breakdown – whether there was a breach of the ship owners' obligation under clause 1(a) of the Vegoilvoy form – whether clause 1(b) of the Vegoilvoy form would protect the ship owners from the consequences of a breach of clause 1(a) – Hague Visby Rules, Art III r 1(2) – appeal dismissed.

8 Jan 2007: The "Sin Chuen No 112" (Union Bank of Taiwan and others, interveners) [2007] SGHC 11
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – unpaid wages – application to amend statement of claim – "injustice to the other party" – whether the application lacks bona fides – appeal dismissed.

2006

1 Dec 2006: Swift-Fortune Ltd v Magnifica Marine SA [2006] SGCA 42
MAREVA INJUNCTIONS - Arbitration - Appeal from Swift-Fortune Ltd v Magnifica Marine SA [2006] 2 SLR 323 setting aside a Mareva injunction restraining a company, from disposing of or dealing with its assets in Singapore pending arbitration proceedings between the parties in London - grant of Mareva interlocutory relief in aid of "international arbitrations" - court's power to grant interim measures - International Arbitration Act (Cap 143A, 2002 Rev Ed) s 12(7); s 5(2) - Model Law, art 9 - "foreign arbitration".

13 Oct 2006: The "Emma Maersk" [2006] SGHC 180
MAREVA INJUNCTIONS - Arbitration - Appeal from Swift-Fortune Ltd v Magnifica Marine SA [2006] 2 SLR 323 setting aside a Mareva injunction restraining a company, from disposing of or dealing with its assets in Singapore pending arbitration proceedings between the parties in London - grant of Mareva interlocutory relief in aid of "international arbitrations" - court's power to grant interim measures - International Arbitration Act (Cap 143A, 2002 Rev Ed) s 12(7); s 5(2) - Model Law, art 9 - "foreign arbitration".

11 Sep 2006: Marina Offshore Pte Ltd v China Insurance Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Another [2006] SGCA 28
MARINE INSURANCE - appeal from Marina Offshore Pte Ltd v China Insurance Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Another [2006] SLR 800 ( 30 December 2005) – appeal allowed – policies were time policy – s39(1) Marine Insurance Act (Cap 387, 1994) – no implied warranty that at the commencement of the voyage the vessel shall be seaworthy for the adventure insured – perils of the sea sole operative cause of the loss in terms of the policies.

7 Aug 2006: UMCI Ltd v Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Others [2006] SGHC 142
MARINE INSURANCE – cargo damage – cargo checklist - duty of good faith –discovery – whether the court has power to make orders against persons not parties to the action to furnish handwriting samples.

29 Jun 2006: The "Asia Star" [2006] SGHC 115
CARRIAGE OF GOODS – voyage charterparty – Vegoilvoy form – vessel unfit to carry the agreed cargo – cancellation of charterparty – owner of the vessel to pay damages to charterer.

6 Jun 2006: Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance (Singapore) Ltd v Metico Marine Pte Ltd and another [2006] SGHC 97
MARINE INSURANCE – salvage expenses – whether warranty was part of the contract of insurance – breach of warranty - reimbursement for salvage expenses.

20 Apr 2006: Sumpiles Investments Pte Ltd v AXA Insurance Singapore Pte Ltd [2006] SGHC 65
MARINE INSURANCE – damage to insured vessel - Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) of 1 October 1983 – cl 6.2.3 – whether negligence or ordinary wear and tear – class warranty - loss not due to a peril insured.

2 Feb 2006: The "Inai Selasih" (ex "Geopotes X") [2006] SGCA 4
Appeal from The "Inai Selasih" (ex "Geopotes X") [2005] SGHC 132 (25 July 2005) – decision to set aside writ and warrant of arrest affirmed.

2005

30 Dec 2005: Marina Offshore Pte Ltd v China Insurance Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Another [2005] SGHC 238
MARINE INSURANCE – mixed policies - whether vessel lost as result of perils of the sea - insurance warranty – recommended voyage route – unseaworthiness of vessel.

21 Nov 2005: Treasure Valley Group Ltd v Saputra Teddy & Anor [2005] SGHC 217; [2006] 1 SLR 358
Plaintiff had the defendant's ship arrested, defendant applied to set aside arrest of vessel, defendants granted liberty to treat crew wages as part of Sheriff's expenses, as vessel already sold it was considered a moot point as to whether the plaintiff's actions constituted bad faith or material non-disclosure, defendants' inconsistent conduct amounted to approbation and reprobation of arrest, but this did not bar them from pleading that there was malice in bringing the action for possession, defendants not permitted to claim for damages for wrongful arrest without setting aside arrest.

28 Oct 2005: Allied Marine Services Ltd v LMJ International Ltd [2005] SGHC 201; [2006] 1 SLR 261
Dispute over charterparty, arbitration proceedings in London resulted in award in favour of AMS, AMS applied for Mareva injunction with respect to cargo of iron ore belonging to IMJ that was on board a vessel bunkering in Singapore, application dismissed, if the injunction would interfere with third party's business the rights of third party must prevail, delay and inconvenience would be suffered by innocent third parties like the vessel's owner and other cargo owners, indemnity offered by AMS was unacceptably low, in any case the furnishing of an indemnity could not in and of itself cannot justify the inconvenience and uncertainties faced by the third parties.

29 Sep 2005: Bayswater Carriers Pte Ltd v QBE Insurance (International) Pte [2005] SGHC 185; [2006] 1 SLR 69
Marine insurance, tug lost in hijacking, whether loss suffered by assured covered under marine hull policy, piracy or violent theft by persons from outside assured's vessel was the proximate cause of assured's loss, piracy not limited to high seas for purposes of an insurance policy, negligence of master of vessel in failing to keep proper watch was not the proximate cause of the loss and did not a bar against QBE's liability, no evidence that the assured did not take reasonable measures mitigate loss.

14 Sep 2005: UCO Bank v Golden Shore Transportation Pte Ltd [2005] SGCA 42; [2006] 1 SLR 1
Bills of lading, order bills transferred from shipper to appellant consignee via negotiating bank without indorsement in favour of negotiating bank, whether consignee becoming lawful holder of bills, whether consignee having title to sue on bills, court of appeal held that the four bills of lading were transferable and therefore covered by the Bills of Lading Act, upon receipt of the bills from negotiating bank the appellant became the lawful holder of the bills, fact that the shippers did not indorse the bills of lading to the appellant did not mean that the appellant was not their lawful holder, s2(4) of the Act was not applicable to the present situation.

25 Jul 2005: The "Inai Selasih" (ex "Geopotes X") [2005] SGHC 132
WRONGFUL ARREST – CHARTER PARTY - Defendants sought to set aside a Writ of Summons and Warrant of Arrest issued against their vessel for breach of an agreement (MOU) relating to use and hire of the plaintiff's dredger. The MOU was not an agreement to charter but rather a joint venture involving the use of an identifiable ship Whether ss 3(1)( h ) and 4(4)( b ) of the High Court (Admiralty Jurisdiction) Act were fulfilled. Held: the alleged charter party was not intended to create a valid charter of the dredger, it was a sham which gave rise to no legal rights and obligations. Therefore the plaintiff was not entitled to assert its claim by proceeding in rem against the defendant's vessel . Warrant of Arrest could also have been set aside on the basis of a breach of the duty to disclose material facts. Damages for wrongful arrest granted, release of vessel ordered.

20 Jul 2005: The 'Rainbow Joy' [2005] SGCA 36
engineer injured in course of work on ship, admiralty action for negligence and/or breach of contract or duty resulting in the injury to his right eye, forum non conveniens.

4 Apr 2005: UCO Bank v Golden Shore Transportation Pte Ltd [2005] SGHC 65
BILL OF LADING - TRANSFER - LAWFUL HOLDER – TITLE TO SUE Shipments were financed by letters of credit (which also operated as negotiation credit), issued by the plaintiff blank. Defendant shipowner issued original bills of lading. Buyers arranged with shipowner to issue switch bills of lading – these were presented by the end receivers when taking delivery of the cargo. Plaintiff bank sued the shipowner on the original bills, contending it had delivered the cargo without production of the original bills. Plaintiff only had title to sue if it was the lawful holder of the original bills. - Bills of Lading Act . HSBC was the negotiating bank - it forwarded the original bills to the plaintiff without any indorsement. Held: Original bills were not transferred from the shippers to the plaintiff nor was HSBC acting on the shippers' behalf when the original bills were presented to and accepted by the plaintiff. Plaintiff was therefore not lawful holder of the original bills of lading.

26 Jan 2005: AP Moller-Maersk A/S (trading as Maersk Sealand) and Another v Special Entertainment Events, Inc and Others [2005] SGCA 6
CARGO STORAGE CHARGES - Two vessels carrying cargo arrived in Singapore but could not deliver cargo because of disputes between respondents as to who was entitled to it. Cargo stranded at godown of the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) – storage charges accrued. In initial proceedings, appellants ordered to pay the outstanding storage charges upfront to PSA in return for security from the respondents – appeal against this order. Carrier has a lien over a cargo in respect of freight and reasonably necessary storage charges. Party who is ultimately adjudged to be entitled to the cargo, will be required to pay the freight and all charges (including storage) reasonably incurred. Order did not affix appellants with ultimate liability to bear storage charges nor did it impose a new obligation on them. Amount of security altered to include financing costs.

25 Jan 2005: Projector SA v Marubeni International Petroleum (S) Pte Ltd [2005] SGCA 5
Cargo delivered without bill of lading. Letter of indemnity given instead. Interim mandatory injunction. Whether breach of letter of indemnity.

13 Jan 2005: The "Rainbow Joy" [2005] SGHC 9
Filipino engineer signed a contract in the Philippines to work on a ship. Signed another employment contract, complying with the laws of Hong Kong. Injured on the ship. Forum non conveniens.

 

2004

The "Acrux" [2004] SGHC 198; [2004] 4 SLR 531
Vessel arrested due to failure to make payment by deadline. Part payment made and shortfall paid later under protest. A declaration of rights regarding payment is within admiralty jurisdiction. Entitlement to security. Section 3(1)(l) High Court ( Admiralty Jurisdiction) Act (Cap 123, 2001 Rev Ed).

The "Hyundai Fortune" [2004] SGHC 45; [2004] 2 SLR 213
Conflict of Laws. Choice of jurisdiction. Stay of action. Whether proceedings in Singapore should be stayed in favour of jurisdiction in bill of lading. No stay granted.

The "Hyundai Fortune" [2004] SGCA 41; [2004] 4 SLR 548
Procedure. Stay of proceedings – consideration of factors. Exclusive jurisdiction clause. Dismissed appeal from [2004] SGHC 45.

Hub Warrior Sdn Bhd v QBE Insurance (Malaysia) Bhd [2004] SGHC 279
Marine Insurance. Claim for a replacement crankshaft after damage to crankpin found Negligence, proximate cause, said not to be a relevant peril but wear and tear. rectification.

9 Mar 2004: MAN B & W S E Asia Pte Ltd and Another v PT Bumi International Tankers Singapore Court of Appeal [2004] SGHC 8
Negligence: whether supplier and manufacturer of engine to a new building owed a duty of care to shipowner: whether shipowner can recover for pure economic loss. In this decision, the Court of Appeal, overruling the judgment at first instance , held that PT Bumi could not sue in tort an engine manufacturer and its Singaporean supplier for pure economic loss that it suffered as a consequence of defects in the engine. There was no contract between PT Bumi and the defendants. The Court of Appeal held that neither manufacturer nor supplier owed a duty of care to PT Bumi. In reaching its decision, the Court attached importance to the limited recourse that PT Bumi had been content to accept under its contract with the shipbuilder. The Court said that the correct approach was not to ask whether there was any justification for depriving PT Bumi of a remedy or whether the contract had deprived PT Bumi of its right to sue the sub-contractors, but whether there were any compelling reasons to extend the law and afford a separate remedy to PT Bumi. It was not for the court to help a party, after the event, to improve his commercial bargain.

Ng Keng Yong v Public Prosecutor and Another Appeal [2004] SGHC 171; [2004] 4 SLR 89
Collision at sea. Vessels on reciprocal courses. Death by negligence. Whether vessels approaching each other so as to involve risk of collision. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, Rule 14(a). Whether causing death by a negligent act.

20 Feb 2004: Pan United Shipping Pte Ltd v Cendrawasih Shipping Pte Ltd [2004] SGHC 32
Shipping: loss of cargo carried by barge under tow: whether tug and tow under demise charterparty: characteristics of demise charters.

Royal Global Exports Pte Ltd and Others v Good Stream Co Ltd and Another [2004] SGHC 174; [2004] 4 SLR 247
Vessel sank, loss of cargo on board. Procedure. Production of documents. Mareva injunction in respect of insurance proceeds held by owner of ship, being a one ship company.

13 Aug 2004: The "RSS Courageous" NG Keng Yong v Public Prosecutor Singapore High Court
Collision between navy ship and merchant ship: criminal offence of causing death by negligent act under section 304A Singapore Penal Code: vessels on reciprocal courses: whether involved risk of collision: breach of Rule 14(a) Collision Regulations: standard of care expected of trainee officer: whether contributory negligence of merchant ship broke chain of causation.

The "Seaway" [2004] SGCA 57
Vessel damaged wharf of appellant. Question of limitation of liability. Interpretation of s136(1)(d) of the Merchant Shipping Act.

Sunlight Mercantile Pte Ltd v Ever Lucky Shipping Co Ltd [2004] 1 SLR 171
York Antwerp Rules 1974: whether unseaworthiness of vessel affected right to general average contribution : whether exemption clauses in Bills of Lading excluding liability for deck cargo absolved shipowners from actionable fault.

The "Sunrise Crane" [2004] SGCA 42; [2004] 4 SLR 715
Negligence. Limitation of liability. Section 136 Merchant Shipping Act (Cap 179, 1996 Rev Ed). Whether owner of vessel discharging dangerous cargo owes duty of care to inform receiving vessel about dangerous nature of cargo immediately prior to discharge.

 

2003

8 May 2003: ABC Co v XYZ Co Ltd Singapore High Court
The applicant applied to set aside an award made in an arbitration governed by the International Arbitration Act (Cap 143A) ("IAA"), which makes the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration part of Singapore law. After the time limit for filing an application to set aside an award, the applicant applied to the court to amend its application by adding six new grounds for setting aside. The court held that such an amendment could be allowed only if the new grounds arose out of the same facts or substantially the same facts as the original grounds.

29 Jul 2003: Admiral Chartering Ltd v Owners of Ship or Vessel "Rainbow Spring" Singapore Court of Appeal
Admiral, as time charterer of "Rainbow Spring", brought an in rem action against and arrested the vessel for damages for breach of the time charterparty. Her registered owners, Rainbow Spring Shipping Ltd Inc ("RSSL") entered appearance and applied to set aside the writ of summons and the warrant of arrest on the ground that RSSL was not a party to the time charterparty. Under section 4(4) of the Singapore High Court (Admiralty Jurisdiction) Act (cap 123) (the "Act"), the court only has jurisdiction to entertain an action in rem for breach of charterparty if the person who would be liable in personam on the claim is the owner of the vessel, both when the cause of action arose and when the action was brought.

The 'An Ji Jiang' [2003] SGHC 224; [2003] 4 SLR 348
Voyage charter - whether Asbatankvoy incorporated - operation of cancellation clause - measure of loss for wrongful termination.

The 'ASL Power' [2003] 1 SLR 545 (SGHC)
Title to sue - cargo lost before payment under letter of credit - c & f transaction - title passing on payment.

Bandung Shipping Pte Ltd v Keppel TatLee Bank Ltd [2003] 1 SLR 295 (SGCA)
Bills of lading - discussion of endorsements - straight and negotiable.

BNP Paribas v Bandung Shipping Pte Ltd [2003] SGHC 111; [2003] 3 SLR 611
Bills of lading - delivery to party without production of bills under letter of indemnity - plaintiff bank as pledgee could sue.

31 Oct 2003: The"Dilmun Fulma" [2003] SGHC 270
Pan-United Shipyard Pte Ltd commenced an action in rem against and arrested "Dilmun Fulmar" for claims under a repair contract. The owners of "Dilmun Fulmar" entered into a settlement agreement with Pan-United to pay the claim in three instalments. The vessel was released and sold to a Halisen Shipping Co Ltd. The vessel's original owners failed to pay the balance due under the settlement agreement. Pan-United re-arrested the vessel in the original action in rem. Halisen applied successfully to set aside the arrest.

15 Apr 2003: Ever Lucky Shipping Co Ltd v Sunlight Mercantile Pte Ltd and Liberty Citystate Insurance Pte Ltd; The "Pep Nautic" [2003] SGHC 80
Right of shipowner to general average contribution under York Antwerp Rules 1974: whether actionable fault on the part of shipowners affecting right to contribution: whether shipowners failed to exercise due diligence under Hague Rules to make ship seaworthy; whether exemption clauses in Bills of Lading excluding liability for deck cargo absole shipowners from actionable fault.

Evergreen International SA v Volkswagen Group Singapore Pte Ltd [2003] SGHC 142; [2004] 2 SLR 457
Anti-suit injunction - Collision in Singapore waters between the Ever Glory and the Hual Trinita. Collision liability settled between shipowners - limitation suit begun in Singapore by plaintiffs, owners of the Ever Glory - limitation decree granted under the 1957 Convention - defendants were cargo interests on the Hual Trinita - were aware of limitation proceedings - but did not seek to participate or prove their claims against the fund - defendants arrested sister ship of the Ever Glory in Belgium and commenced a tort action in Belgium with a higher limit based on the 1976 Convention. The Belgian courts did not recognise the limitation decree or fund in Singapore - anti-suit injunction granted.

Feoso (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Faith Maritime Co Ltd [2003] SGCA 34; [2003] 3 SLR 556
Voyage charter - claim for demurrage - whether NOR valid - whether ship an arrived ship - whether claim for demurrage could be made against holder of the bill.

26 Nov 2003: Jurong Engineering Ltd v Black & Veatch Singapore Pte Ltd [2003] SGHC 292
Jurong Engineering and Vetach Singapore entered into a contract for a plant in Singapore. The arbitration clause in their contract states that the parties agreed to submit to SIAC arbitration and to the rules of arbitration promulgated by the SIAC. The arbitration was a domestic arbitration. The trial judge held that in the absence of any specifications in the arbitration clause, SIAC Domestic Arbitration Rules would apply to domestic arbitration even though the rules were not in existence at the time of the contract.

18 Jul 2003: PT Bumi International Tankers v. Man B & W S E Asia Pte Ltd and Mirrlees Blackstone Ltd [2003] SGHC 152
Negligence: whether supplier and manufacturer of engine to a newbuilding owed duty of care to shipowner: whether shipowner can recover for pure economic loss.

The 'Rainbow Spring' [2003] SGCA 31; [2003] 3 SLR 362
Admiralty practice - question of non-disclosure - discussion of authorities - held non-disclosure a basis to set aside arrest - [see 'Possible Issues in Admiralty Reform: (a) beneficial ownership and jurisdictional facts; and (b) the nature of arrest and disclosure', paper presented to the 30th Annual Conference of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand by the Honourable Justice Allsop, Federal Court of Australia, 2003, [113] ff].

The 'Seaway' [2003] SGHC 315; [2004] 2 SLR 577
Collision - allision - the dredger Seaway allided with and damaged a privately owned wharf - s 136 Merchant Shipping Act (Sing) - fell within limitation provision.

Sunlight Mercantile Pte Ltd v Ever Lucky Shippping Co Ltd [2003] SGCA 171; [2004] 1 SLR 171
Carriage of goods - logs - on a bulk log carrier from West African ports to India - deck carriage - outside Hague-Visby Rules - vessel unseaworthy - claim for general average for towing of the vessel that was made necessary by the unseaworthiness of the ship - Rule D of York Antwerp Rules and the meaning of 'fault' - primary judge followed Langley J in The 'Imvros' [1999] 1 Lloyd's Rep 848 and held that wide exclusion in the bills('howsoever arising:') included nseaworthiness of the ship at the commencement of the voyage. The Court of Appeal disagreed - insufficient regard was held to have been given to the absolute obligation of the owner to send the ship out in a seaworthy state at the commencement of the voyage. A high degree of precision in the exclusion clause was required - discussion of authorities on required specificity of such an exclusion or exculpation clause.

25 Jun 2003: UCO Bank v Golden Shore Transportation Pte Ltd; The "Asean Pioneer", Singapore High Court
Forum: whether bill of lading clause a jurisdiction clause: whether strong cause against stay: use of switched bills of lading: delivery without production of bills of lading: whether defence of consent or acquiescence. UCO issued letters of credit for payment of logs shipped from Malaysia to Kandla, India on board Golden Shore's vessel "Asean Pioneer". UCO became holders of the bills of lading issued for the shipments. At the request of UCO's customer, Golden Shore issued a new set of switched bills of lading without requiring the original bills to be exchanged. The buyers in India presented the switched bills and obtained delivery of the logs. UCO, as holders of the original bills, claimed damages from Golden Shore. Golden Shore applied to stay the action in Singapore on the basis of an exclusive jurisdiction clause in the bills of lading. The Singapore High Court dismissed Golden Shore's application.

31 Oct 2003: UCO Bank v Golden View Maritime Pte Ltd: [2003] SGHC 271
Civil procedure: Mereva injunction against disposal of vessel: risk of dissipation of assets.

 

2002

12 Nov 2002: Glencore International AG v. Owners of the "Cherry", the "Epic" and the "Addax" [2003] 1 SLR 471
Bills of lading - delivery of cargo without production of bills - discussion of delivery and agency.

29 Oct 2002: Admiral Chartering Ltd v Owners of Ship "Rainbow Spring", Singapore High Court
Admiral, as time charterers of "Rainbow Spring", brought an in rem action against and arrested the vessel for damages for breach of the time charterparty. Her registered owners, Rainbow Spring Shipping Ltd Inc ("RSSL") entered appearance and applied to set aside the writ of summons and the warrant of arrest on the ground that RSSL was not a party to the time charterparty. Under section 4(4) of the Singapore High Court (Admiralty Jurisdiction) Act (cap 123) (the "Act"), the court only has jurisdiction to entertain an action in rem for breach of charterparty if the person who would be liable in personam on the claim is the owner of the vessel, both when the cause of action arose and when the action was brought.

23 Apr 2002: Sumitomo Corporation (Singapore) Pte Ltd v The Owners of the Ship "Alexandrea" [2002] 3 SLR 56
Sumitomo was an intermediate party in a chain of contracts for the supply of marine fuel oil ("MFO"). Sumitomo brought an action in rem against the bunker tanker "ALEXANDREA" for negligence in supplying contaminated MFO to a ship "FRONT MELODY". The issue arose whether admiralty jurisdiction had been improperly invoked. The court held that it had; the ship referred to in s.4(4) must be the same ship as that referred to in s.3(1). In this case, the ships were different.

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