Yemgas Fzco & Ors v Superior Pescadores S.A. Panama

Yemgas Fzco & Ors v Superior Pescadores S.A. Panama

The clause paramount in the bills of lading does not incorporate the Hague Rules to the exclusion of the Hague-Visby Rules where the country of shipment has enacted the Hague-Visby Rules. The parties did not contractually agree to a higher limitation figure than the Hague-Visby Rules. Therefore, the Hague-Visby package limitation applies, and the claimants are not entitled to recover the higher Hague Rules limit.

Parties
Claimant: YEMGAS FZCO; Claimant: YEMGAS FZCO (YEMEN BRANCH); Claimant: YEMGAS FZCO T/A YEMGAS (YEMEN BRANCH); Claimant: YEMGAS LNG COMPANY LIMITED; Defendant: SUPERIOR PESCADORES S. A. PANAMA
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 April 2014
Procedural Posture
Commercial Cargo Claim / Summary Judgment Application
Outcome
Judgment for the defendant owners
Legal Topics
Bills of Lading, Hague Rules, Hague Visby Rules, Package Limitation, Clause Paramount, Limitation of Liability
Carriage of Goods by Sea International Trade Law Bills of Lading Hague Rules Hague Visby Rules Package Limitation Clause Paramount Limitation of Liability

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 15 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 3
Sign in to unlock

Parties

YEMGAS FZCO

Claimant

YEMGAS FZCO (YEMEN BRANCH)

Claimant

YEMGAS FZCO T/A YEMGAS (YEMEN BRANCH)

Claimant

YEMGAS LNG COMPANY LIMITED

Claimant

SUPERIOR PESCADORES S. A. PANAMA

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Commercial Cargo Claim / Summary Judgment Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the clause paramount incorporates the Hague Rules or Hague-Visby Rules when the country of shipment has enacted the Hague-Visby Rules
  2. 2 Whether claimants can recover the higher Hague Rules package limitation where it exceeds the Hague-Visby limit
  3. 3 What is the relevant date for converting the gold value under the Hague Rules into money

Ratio Decidendi

The clause paramount in the bills of lading does not incorporate the Hague Rules to the exclusion of the Hague-Visby Rules where the country of shipment has enacted the Hague-Visby Rules. The parties did not contractually agree to a higher limitation figure than the Hague-Visby Rules. Therefore, the Hague-Visby package limitation applies, and the claimants are not entitled to recover the higher Hague Rules limit.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the defendant owners

Orders

  • Claim dismissed as the Hague-Visby limitation amount has been paid