Volcafe Ltd and Others v Compania Sud Americana de Vapores SA – Supreme Court (Lord Reed DP, Lord Wilson, Lord Sumption, Lord Hodge and Lord Kitchin JJSC) – 5 December 2018

Carriage of goods by sea – Burden of proof – Cargo of containerised bagged coffee beans found to be damaged by condensation – Inherent vice – Whether carrier failed properly and carefully to load and carry the goods

The claimants were the owners of a cargo of bagged Colombian green coffee beans shipped at Buenaventura in Colombia between 14 January and 6 April 2012 on various vessels owned by the defendant shipowners for carriage to Bremen. The cargo was stowed in 20 unventilated 20 ft containers.