WESTERN BULK CARRIERS K/S v LI HAI MARITIME INC (THE “LI HAI”)

[2005] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 389

QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION (COMMERCIAL COURT)

Before Mr Jonathan Hirst QC sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court

Charter-party (Time) - Hire - Non-payment - Anti-technicality clause - Withdrawal of vessel - Whether underpayment of hire - Relevance of fact that charterers entitled to reimbursement for off-hire between date hire due and date of withdrawal - Whether owners estopped from entitlement to withdraw vessel in respect of small deductions from hire - Whether owners gave notice of withdrawal in accordance with clause - Whether owners estopped from withdrawing vessel for non-payment of US$500.