Liability for non-compulsory pilotage fees - 9/80

A dispute arose as to liability for pilotage fees under a trip time-charter on a New York Produce Exchange Form, the material stipulation being that expressed by the usual printed cl.2. The vessel left Antwerp, under compulsory pilotage, until she reached the mouth of the Sheldt, where the master engaged a non-compulsory pilot for the passage through the English Channel. The owners paid the fees of the non-compulsory pilot. Clause 2 of the charter-party provided that the charterers should pay for “Pilotages”, but elsewhere the owners were to remain responsible for the navigation of the vessel, it being given liberty to sail with or without pilots. The owners sought reimbursement of the non-compulsory pilotge fees from the charterers.