Mercuria Energy Trading SA v Onex DMCC [2026] EWHC 130 (Comm) (22 January 2026)

Mercuria Energy Trading SA v Onex DMCC [2026] EWHC 130 (Comm) (22 January 2026)

The contract distinguished between guaranteed specifications and non-binding typicals; the Organic Chloride content was a typical, not a guarantee. The cargo retained its commercial identity as SRFO despite contamination. Onex was not in breach of contract for delivering cargo with 16ppm Organic Chloride. Mercuria's...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2026] EWHC 130 (Comm)
Parties
Claimant: Mercuria Energy Trading SA; Defendant: Onex DMCC
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
22 January 2026
Procedural Posture
Commercial Contract Dispute / High Court Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Interpretation of Contract Terms, Sale by Description, Measure of Damages, Mitigation of Loss, Quality and Description of Goods
Commercial Law Contract Law Sale of Goods Interpretation of Contract Terms Sale by Description Measure of Damages Mitigation of Loss Quality and Description of Goods

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Mercuria Energy Trading SA

Claimant

Onex DMCC

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Commercial Contract Dispute / High Court Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the seller was contractually obliged to deliver cargo with Organic Chloride content not exceeding 5ppm as a binding specification or only as a non-binding typical;
  2. 2 Whether the cargo delivered lost its commercial identity as SRFO due to contamination;
  3. 3 Whether the seller breached a requirement to deliver '100% SOMO IRAQI HSSR';

Ratio Decidendi

The contract distinguished between guaranteed specifications and non-binding typicals; the Organic Chloride content was a typical, not a guarantee. The cargo retained its commercial identity as SRFO despite contamination. Onex was not in breach of contract for delivering cargo with 16ppm Organic Chloride. Mercuria's claim fails.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed