SHIPPING AND ARBITRATION
INSIGHTS FROM THE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES
SPECIFICS OF PERFORMANCE
IN BLACK SEA REGION
By Andrey Perepelitsa
Senior lawyer, ACIArb
• Black Sea is one pool of emerging economies
• Much paperwork, sometimes bureaucracy
• Split of commercial and administrative
functions is different in every country
• Local regulations
• Geographic & climate conditions
Charter Parties in Azov-Black Sea
REGIONAL FEATURES
• Short shoulder of the voyage
• Shippers/Receivers impact on the voyage
• Specific charter party clauses
Charter Parties in Azov-Black Sea
CONTRACT FEATURES
SHORT VOYAGE SHOULDER
Charter Parties in Azov-Black Sea
CLIMATE
Ice Occurrence In Black Sea And Azov Sea
83-157 days
December to April
86-142 days
December to April
General Ice Clause –
Prior to Loading
18(a) In the event of the loading port being inaccessible by reason of
ice when the Vessel is ready to proceed from a last port or at any
time during the voyage or on the Vessel's arrival or in case frost
sets in after the Vessel's arrival, the Master for fear of being
frozen in is at liberty to leave without cargo, and this Charter
Party shall be null and void.
Charter Parties in Azov-Black Sea
LOCAL REGULATIONS
72
hours
72
hours
SSHEX
24
hours
+++
72
hours
PROHIBITION
to ENTER the PORT
from the
HARBOUR MASTER
VALID for
72 HOURS
LOCAL REGULATIONS
PORT RULES of GEORGIA - 2012
Article 10. Ships Enter to the Port
The entry of the ship to or departure
out of the port takes place at any time
during a 24 hour day except in the
event of bad weather and certain
circumstances justifying the prohibition
of the entry and departure of ships to
and out of the port.
BE CAREFUL!
Charter Parties in Azov-Black Sea
SPECIFIC CLAUSES
“WRONG” CLAUSE
• GENCON 1994
• Cargo: fertilizers
• Factory break down
• Not possible
to supply the cargo
• Date of supply -
unknown
ADDITIONAL CLAUSE
Strike and Force Majeure
Fire, strikes, labour disturbances, lock-outs, requisitions, intervention of authorities,
accidents, tidal wave, flood, fire, lightning, explosion, earthquake, storms, land
slides, interruption of facilities of transportation or communication, navigation
accident, breakdown of production or forming plant, equipment or facilities
affecting production, production capacity or transportation of cargo or production,
failure of the railroad to furnish railroad cars, railroad washouts, breakdown of
equipment or facilities at loading port, denial of export or import licenses, Acts of
God, Acts of Governments, blockade, war, riot, insurrection, wrecks, epidemics,
quarantine, or any other unforeseen event, cause or causes of any nature, whether
similar or dissimilar to any of those herein before enumerated beyond the
reasonable control of the parties are excepted and neither of the parties including
Shippers/Receivers shall be liable for any loss or damage resulting from any such
excepted causes.
The time lost by reason of such excepted causes mentioned above in this clause
shall not count as laytime or time on demurrage either at port of loading, port of
discharge or both.
• Vessel delay in port for 5 days
• Charter-party terminated
(by frustration)
• Extra operational expenses
• Costs of idle ballast voyage
• No compensation from the
Charterers
LMAA
Small Claims Procedure
•The claim – up to agreed sum
•Sole arbitrator
•Arbitrator may be nominated by
LMAA
•Fixed arbitration fee - £ 3,000
•Submissions limits
•Fast – 2-3 months
ADD TO RECAP:
For claims under XXXXX USD
LMAA Small Claims Procedure to apply
LMAA
Small Claims Procedure
FREQUENT PROBLEMS
IN SHIPPING
MARITIME FRAUD
By Alexey Remeslo
Senior lawyer
DOCUMENTARY FRAUD
Fake Bill of Lading
GOAL:
• RECEIVE CARGO INSTEAD
OF THE REAL OWNERS
• RECEIVE MONEY FROM
L/C
AGENCY RELATED FRAUD
Fake Agency Invoice
VESSEL WAS FIXED
THROUGH BROKER
THE SHIPPER SAID TO BE WELL
KNOWN ON THE MARKET
BROKER
OWNER
CHARTERER
CHARTERERS
APPOINTED THE AGENT
AT THE LOADING PORT
ADVANCE D/A
USD ~70 000
3 DAYS OF WAITING…
LOSSES:
• $70,000 – FAKE AGENCY
• RUNNING COSTS
• BALLAST VOYAGE
CARGO RELATED FRAUD
Double cargo sale
SELLER
BUYER
FOB
SELLER
BUYERTERMINAL
BUYERTERMINAL
LAWFUL CARGO OWNER
LOSSES:
• ADVANCE PAYMENT
• FREIGHT
• LEGAL COSTS
CHARTERING FRAUD
Intercepted Freight
SHIPOWNER
BROKER
CHARTERER
SHIPOWNER
BROKER
CHARTERERSHIPPER
SHIPOWNER
BROKER
SHIPPER CHARTERER
B/L
Freight Prepaid
SHIPOWNER
SHIPPER
B/L
Freight Prepaid
LOSSES:
• FREIGHT
• LEGAL COSTS
• DISBURSEMENTS
CHARTERING FRAUD
Intercepted Freight + Fake E-Mail
SHIPOWNER
AGENT
SHIPPER CHARTERER
B/L
Freight Prepaid
EMAIL WAS
RECEIVED BY THE AGENT
AT THE SAME TIME
THE SHIPOWNER’S
INBOX HAS
BEEN SPAMMED
SHIPOWNER
AGENT
SHIPPER CHARTERER
B/L
Freight Prepaid
SHIPOWNER
AGENT
SHIPPER CHARTERER
B/L
Freight Prepaid
• Business with unknown intermediaries acting for unknown
principals can be risky without due diligence and counterparty
checks
• Ensure that business is conducted with known or verified
counterparties. Local P&I Correspondents, agents etc. may help
in confirming whether a particular local party is a known
company or whether there are concerns
• Request of unknown counterparties for an advance payment
must be considered twice
• Where possible “freight pre-paid” B/Ls should be avoided,
especially if the freight has not in fact been pre-paid.
TERMINATION OF CHARTERPARTY
By Andrey Perepelitsa
Senior lawyer, ACIArb
CHARTERERS’ QUIZ
02/11 You fix MV “Elf” from Varna to Rostov on
Gencon-94 basis with laycan dates November
09-13, and cancelling date November 14
11/11 Owners inform that the vessel delayed in
previous voyage and will not be able to
arrive within laycan. Owners expect the
vessel to be ready on November 15
What options are open to you?
How would you respond?
Can you cancel now?
Christie & Vesey v Helvetia [1960]
The Madeleine [1967]
There is no anticipatory right to cancel in advance of the
specified cancelling date, even though it is clear that the
owner will be unable to tender the ship in time.
Cancellation if exercised until the cancellation date
constitutes an anticipatory breach and repudiation of the
charterparty.
12/11 You agreed to extent laycan and set new
Cancelling date on November 22
16/11 Owners inform that the vessel is still not
ready to load and they cannot guarantee
her readiness before or on November 22
What options are open to you?
How would you respond?
Can you cancel now?
22/11 You send the notice of cancellation of
charter party and seek for another vessel
26/11 New vessel MV “Dwarf” loaded and sailed.
However, due to declaration of ice conditions
in Azov sea, the vessel spent 5 days waiting
for ice convoy and used breaker assistance.
These sums were claimed from you by the
Owners of MV “Dwarf”.
As a result of these events, total delay in
delivery of cargo was more than 2 weeks,
and your company has sustained losses as
follows:
• Extra freight - USD 10,000
• Waiting for ice convoy – USD 5,4000
• Ice breaker assistance – USD 1580,00
• Penalty claimed from you by
consignees for late delivery – USD 12,000
Which (if any) of these sums you
can recover from the Owners?
Hadley v Baxendale [1854]
• Naturally arise from the breach according the usual
course of things; or
• Were within the reasonable contemplation of the
parties at the time of contracting as the probable result
of a breach
DAMAGES RECOVERABLE:
OWNERS’ QUIZ
02/11 Your MV “Elf” arrived to Poti from Varna and
started discharging. Next voyage was fixed
from Poti to Mersin on Gencon-94 basis
with laycan Poti - November 05-11
04/11 Charterers inform that the full cargo is not
ready due to factory problems, and will not
be ready within laycan dates. Charterers
offered you to cancel CP.
What options are open to you?
How would you respond?
06/11 After discharging, your MV “Elf” tendered
NOR in Poti
08/11 Charterers stated that the factory problems
are the event of force majeure, and the
Performance of CP must be suspended for
the period of force majeure event.
Charterers also requested you to wait in Poti
until November 14, when production is said
to be restored
What options are open to you?
How would you respond?
11/11 You send the notice of cancellation of
charter party. As a result of these events,
your company has sustained losses as
difference in freight
- USD 7,000
May these sums be
recovered from the Owners?
THANK YOU !
QUESTIONS ?

Shipping and arbitration: Insights from the Black Sea countries

  • 1.
    SHIPPING AND ARBITRATION INSIGHTSFROM THE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES
  • 2.
    SPECIFICS OF PERFORMANCE INBLACK SEA REGION By Andrey Perepelitsa Senior lawyer, ACIArb
  • 3.
    • Black Seais one pool of emerging economies • Much paperwork, sometimes bureaucracy • Split of commercial and administrative functions is different in every country • Local regulations • Geographic & climate conditions Charter Parties in Azov-Black Sea REGIONAL FEATURES
  • 4.
    • Short shoulderof the voyage • Shippers/Receivers impact on the voyage • Specific charter party clauses Charter Parties in Azov-Black Sea CONTRACT FEATURES
  • 5.
  • 7.
    Charter Parties inAzov-Black Sea CLIMATE
  • 8.
    Ice Occurrence InBlack Sea And Azov Sea 83-157 days December to April 86-142 days December to April
  • 9.
    General Ice Clause– Prior to Loading 18(a) In the event of the loading port being inaccessible by reason of ice when the Vessel is ready to proceed from a last port or at any time during the voyage or on the Vessel's arrival or in case frost sets in after the Vessel's arrival, the Master for fear of being frozen in is at liberty to leave without cargo, and this Charter Party shall be null and void.
  • 10.
    Charter Parties inAzov-Black Sea LOCAL REGULATIONS
  • 11.
  • 12.
    PROHIBITION to ENTER thePORT from the HARBOUR MASTER VALID for 72 HOURS
  • 13.
    LOCAL REGULATIONS PORT RULESof GEORGIA - 2012 Article 10. Ships Enter to the Port The entry of the ship to or departure out of the port takes place at any time during a 24 hour day except in the event of bad weather and certain circumstances justifying the prohibition of the entry and departure of ships to and out of the port.
  • 14.
    BE CAREFUL! Charter Partiesin Azov-Black Sea SPECIFIC CLAUSES
  • 15.
    “WRONG” CLAUSE • GENCON1994 • Cargo: fertilizers • Factory break down • Not possible to supply the cargo • Date of supply - unknown
  • 16.
    ADDITIONAL CLAUSE Strike andForce Majeure Fire, strikes, labour disturbances, lock-outs, requisitions, intervention of authorities, accidents, tidal wave, flood, fire, lightning, explosion, earthquake, storms, land slides, interruption of facilities of transportation or communication, navigation accident, breakdown of production or forming plant, equipment or facilities affecting production, production capacity or transportation of cargo or production, failure of the railroad to furnish railroad cars, railroad washouts, breakdown of equipment or facilities at loading port, denial of export or import licenses, Acts of God, Acts of Governments, blockade, war, riot, insurrection, wrecks, epidemics, quarantine, or any other unforeseen event, cause or causes of any nature, whether similar or dissimilar to any of those herein before enumerated beyond the reasonable control of the parties are excepted and neither of the parties including Shippers/Receivers shall be liable for any loss or damage resulting from any such excepted causes. The time lost by reason of such excepted causes mentioned above in this clause shall not count as laytime or time on demurrage either at port of loading, port of discharge or both.
  • 17.
    • Vessel delayin port for 5 days • Charter-party terminated (by frustration) • Extra operational expenses • Costs of idle ballast voyage • No compensation from the Charterers
  • 18.
  • 19.
    •The claim –up to agreed sum •Sole arbitrator •Arbitrator may be nominated by LMAA •Fixed arbitration fee - £ 3,000 •Submissions limits •Fast – 2-3 months
  • 20.
    ADD TO RECAP: Forclaims under XXXXX USD LMAA Small Claims Procedure to apply LMAA Small Claims Procedure
  • 21.
  • 22.
    MARITIME FRAUD By AlexeyRemeslo Senior lawyer
  • 23.
  • 25.
    GOAL: • RECEIVE CARGOINSTEAD OF THE REAL OWNERS • RECEIVE MONEY FROM L/C
  • 26.
  • 27.
    VESSEL WAS FIXED THROUGHBROKER THE SHIPPER SAID TO BE WELL KNOWN ON THE MARKET BROKER OWNER CHARTERER
  • 28.
  • 29.
  • 30.
    3 DAYS OFWAITING…
  • 32.
    LOSSES: • $70,000 –FAKE AGENCY • RUNNING COSTS • BALLAST VOYAGE
  • 33.
  • 34.
  • 35.
  • 36.
  • 37.
    LOSSES: • ADVANCE PAYMENT •FREIGHT • LEGAL COSTS
  • 38.
  • 39.
  • 40.
  • 41.
  • 42.
  • 43.
    LOSSES: • FREIGHT • LEGALCOSTS • DISBURSEMENTS
  • 44.
  • 45.
  • 46.
  • 47.
    AT THE SAMETIME THE SHIPOWNER’S INBOX HAS BEEN SPAMMED
  • 48.
  • 49.
  • 51.
    • Business withunknown intermediaries acting for unknown principals can be risky without due diligence and counterparty checks • Ensure that business is conducted with known or verified counterparties. Local P&I Correspondents, agents etc. may help in confirming whether a particular local party is a known company or whether there are concerns • Request of unknown counterparties for an advance payment must be considered twice • Where possible “freight pre-paid” B/Ls should be avoided, especially if the freight has not in fact been pre-paid.
  • 52.
    TERMINATION OF CHARTERPARTY ByAndrey Perepelitsa Senior lawyer, ACIArb
  • 53.
  • 54.
    02/11 You fixMV “Elf” from Varna to Rostov on Gencon-94 basis with laycan dates November 09-13, and cancelling date November 14 11/11 Owners inform that the vessel delayed in previous voyage and will not be able to arrive within laycan. Owners expect the vessel to be ready on November 15 What options are open to you? How would you respond? Can you cancel now?
  • 55.
    Christie & Veseyv Helvetia [1960] The Madeleine [1967] There is no anticipatory right to cancel in advance of the specified cancelling date, even though it is clear that the owner will be unable to tender the ship in time. Cancellation if exercised until the cancellation date constitutes an anticipatory breach and repudiation of the charterparty.
  • 56.
    12/11 You agreedto extent laycan and set new Cancelling date on November 22 16/11 Owners inform that the vessel is still not ready to load and they cannot guarantee her readiness before or on November 22 What options are open to you? How would you respond? Can you cancel now?
  • 57.
    22/11 You sendthe notice of cancellation of charter party and seek for another vessel 26/11 New vessel MV “Dwarf” loaded and sailed. However, due to declaration of ice conditions in Azov sea, the vessel spent 5 days waiting for ice convoy and used breaker assistance. These sums were claimed from you by the Owners of MV “Dwarf”.
  • 58.
    As a resultof these events, total delay in delivery of cargo was more than 2 weeks, and your company has sustained losses as follows: • Extra freight - USD 10,000 • Waiting for ice convoy – USD 5,4000 • Ice breaker assistance – USD 1580,00 • Penalty claimed from you by consignees for late delivery – USD 12,000 Which (if any) of these sums you can recover from the Owners?
  • 59.
    Hadley v Baxendale[1854] • Naturally arise from the breach according the usual course of things; or • Were within the reasonable contemplation of the parties at the time of contracting as the probable result of a breach DAMAGES RECOVERABLE:
  • 60.
  • 61.
    02/11 Your MV“Elf” arrived to Poti from Varna and started discharging. Next voyage was fixed from Poti to Mersin on Gencon-94 basis with laycan Poti - November 05-11 04/11 Charterers inform that the full cargo is not ready due to factory problems, and will not be ready within laycan dates. Charterers offered you to cancel CP. What options are open to you? How would you respond?
  • 62.
    06/11 After discharging,your MV “Elf” tendered NOR in Poti 08/11 Charterers stated that the factory problems are the event of force majeure, and the Performance of CP must be suspended for the period of force majeure event. Charterers also requested you to wait in Poti until November 14, when production is said to be restored What options are open to you? How would you respond?
  • 63.
    11/11 You sendthe notice of cancellation of charter party. As a result of these events, your company has sustained losses as difference in freight - USD 7,000 May these sums be recovered from the Owners?
  • 64.

Editor's Notes

  • #9 Метеорологи, основываясь на многолетних наблюдени­ях, утверждают, что ничего аномального в морозных зи­мах для приморских регио­нов нет. Имеющиеся знания плюс современные ресурсы позволяют специалистам, в первую очередь метеорологам центра Черного и Азовского морей, составлять довольно точный прогноз на предсто­ящие сезоны года. В нынешний зимний се­зон первое появление льда в черноморских портах ожида­ется в акватории Николаев­ского МТП — 26 декабря. Ничего исключительного: по многолетним наблюдениям в среднем это событие дати­руется 16 декабря, наиболее ранний ледостав приходил­ся на середину ноября, наи­более поздний — на начало февраля. Очищение ото льда тоже будет проходить в обычные периоды — в среднем в се­редине марта (самый позд­ний показатель для Черного моря 17 апреля, Азовского — 24 апреля). В нынешнюю зиму про­должительность ледового пе­риода будет ниже средне­статистической. В Черном море — 68 ледовых дней (в среднем 86, максимум 142 дня), в Азовском — 75 (83 и 157 дней соответственно). — Итак, со стороны при­роды ничего нового не будет. Зима придет, как обычно, — подытожил президент Ассо­циации морских капитанов Одессы Вадим ГРИЦЮК. — Очевидно, что необходим хотя бы еще один ледокол. Другого варианта не приду­мали. Кроме того, для оцен­ки состояния и перемещения ледового поля нужен верто­лет. Это тоже не новость для властей — воздушную ледо­вую разведку придумали еще в прошлом веке. Как мы встретим предсто­ящую зиму? Что изменится? Появятся ли дополнитель­ные ресурсы? Предусмотрено ли это бюджетом? Мы так и не знаем.
  • #24 The Fraudsters create a fake set of Bills of Lading that looks sufficiently genuine against which they seek to take delivery of the cargo in advance of the genuine Receiver.
  • #28 Судно было зафрахтовано через некого брокера. При этом. Брокером был заявлен крупный и известный украинский экспортер в качестве отправителя.
  • #29 Как это часто бывает в нашей практике, агента в порту погрузки номинировал тоже фрахтователь. Естественно, в нашей конкретной ситуации, судовладелец никогда ранее не пользовался услугами этого агента.
  • #30 Стороны согласовали все условия и судно направилось под погрузку в украинский порт. На подходе судна к порту агент выставил судовладельцу дисбурсментский счет и попросил ожидать на рейде свободного причала. Сумма счета составила не много не мало 70 000 USD. Судовладелец связался с фрахтователем, уточнив готовность груза и стал ждать своей очереди.
  • #31 После трех дней отсутствия каких-либо инструкций, судовладелец начал обрывать телефоны и электронную почту агента и фрахтователя, однако, емейл молчал а телефоны просто не отвечали. Судовладелец, не понимая что происходит попросил нас оперативно разобраться в ситуации.
  • #32 В ответ на адвокатский запрос порт сообщил, что не имеет информации относительно запрашиваемого агента и, более того, никем не заявлялся вообще приход судна. Проверка компании показала ,что такое юридическое лицо действительно существует и зарегистрировано в Украине, но никакого отношения к агентской деятельности не имеет.
  • #33 Когда мы проинформировали об этом судовладельца, его удивлению не было предела. Другого выхода, кроме как покинуть порт ни с чем просто не оставалось. Судовладелец зафрахтовал судно под новую перевозку и отправился в следующий порт.
  • #35 История началась с того, что между продавцом и покупателем был подписан контракт на закупку сельскохозяйственной продукции на условиях FOB. Покупателем зафрахтовано судно.
  • #36 Судно прибыло в порт, полностью готовое к погрузке. В переписке с покупателем продавец дал развернутые данные по грузу и нахождении его части на конкретном складе. Ему также удалось убедить продавца оплатить аванс, якобы необходимый для формирования полной партии. Как вы уже наверное догадались, сразу после получения аванса продавец исчез, а покупатель остался один на один с судном и терминалом, на котором якобы находился готовый к отправке груз. Не сдаваясь, покупатель подал заявление и возбудил уголовное дело, в результате которого был наложен арест на часть груза терминала, но, как того и следовало ожидать, этот груз имел своего законного владельца. И в этой ситуации, добросовестная сторона стала жертвой своей доверчивости. Изрядно потратившись, покупатель решил не продолжать войну, а усвоить урок на будущее. Еще одна успешная схема сработала.
  • #37 Как вы уже наверное догадались, сразу после получения аванса продавец исчез, а покупатель остался один на один с судном и терминалом, на котором якобы находился готовый к отправке груз. Не сдаваясь, покупатель подал заявление и возбудил уголовное дело, в результате которого был наложен арест на часть груза терминала, но, как того и следовало ожидать, этот груз имел своего законного владельца.
  • #38 И в этой ситуации, добросовестная сторона стала жертвой своей доверчивости. Изрядно потратившись, покупатель решил не продолжать войну, а усвоить урок на будущее
  • #47 Через некоторое время на почтовый адрес агента приходит емейл. Электронный адрес отправителя в точности напоминал адрес судовладельца. Само же письмо содержало инструкции по дальнейшей передаче коносамента.
  • #48 Но, в этот же момент злоумышленниками организована «спам отака» на почтовые адреса судовладельца и запрос агента попросту затерялся в тысячах емейлов.
  • #51 as well as not undertaking due diligence before fixing can leave Owners exposed to the unscrupulous actions of those seeking to take advantage of the tough market conditions.
  • #55 Could you cancel the charter-party at this stage? No, it will be premature cancellation
  • #56 As it was held in Christie & Vesey v Helvetia [1960] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 540 and in The Madeleine [1967] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 224 there is no anticipatory right to cancel in advance of the specified cancelling date vested in the charterer by the cancelling clause, even though it is clear that the owner will be unable to tender the ship in time. Cancellation if exercised until the arrival of the cancellation date constitutes an anticipatory breach and repudiation of the charterparty. 
  • #60 The test of remoteness in contract law is contemplation. Damages are available for loss which: naturally arises from the breach according the usual course of things; or is within the reasonable contemplation of the parties at the time of contracting as the probable result of a breach (this may be, for example, because special circumstances have been communicated at the time of contracting and therefore can be said to be within their reasonable contemplation)
  • #62 The duty to mitigate losses does not affect the general rule that where a breach is merely anticipatory, namely the intimation of an inability to perform or of an intention to fail in performance of an obligation, the innocent party is under no obligation to accept it as a repudiation, but is entitled to hold the other party to the contract. Thus if, before the ship arrives at the named loading port, the charterers commit anticipatory breach by refusing to provide a cargo, the owners are under no obligation to terminate the contract, but are entitled to proceed to the loading port and tender the ship for loading. However, once the ship has arrived and the charterers fail to provide a cargo within the laydays, thereby committing an actual breach of the charter, the shipowners’ duty to mitigate comes into effect and they must seek alternative employment, and their damages being limited to those which they would have suffered if they had taken this course.