Fifth Circuit Holds Time Charterer Is Not Liable For Allision With A Barge And Dock In Houston Ship Channel

In August, a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the time charterer of a bulk carrier, did not exercise operational control over the vessel to be deemed either a de facto vessel owner or bareboat charterer.

Further, in Grand Famous Shipping Limited v. China Navigation Company PTE., Limited, — 45 F.4th– (5thCir. 2022), 2022 WL 3351781, the Court held that the time charterer was not required to investigate either the vessel owner’s finances or its safety management system before executing the time charter.

Click here to read the full article.