London Arbitration 14/22

After ordering the Vessel to wait off port limits, Charterers required discharge at a 1st then 2nd berth, only permitted by the (1SP/ 1SB) Voyage C/P by “special agreement”. Owners insisted that Charterers first paid outstanding AWRP and fuel costs for a trip to replenish, both occasioned by the waiting. Charterers, having initially agreed, failed to pay. The Tribunal dismissed Charterers’ duress claim – Owners simply drove a hard bargain; nor was the agreement outside the C/P jurisdiction clause – it was concluded pursuant to a C/P term. Owners were entitled to both amounts.