Perfect Best Asset Management Inc v ADL Express Ltd – High Court (Court of First Instance) (Deputy High Court Judge Whitehead SC) [2021] HKCFI 2310 – 13 August 2021

Carriage of goods – Combined transport – Defendant arranging for combined transport of computer accessories from Hong Kong to Finland – Cargo delivered without production of original bills of lading – Cargoes ultimately delivered to shipper’s end buyer – Whether defendant in breach of contract – Whether shipper suffered loss

In September and October 2014 the plaintiff sold cargoes of computer accessories to Esdida Ltd, a Cypriot company related to the plaintiff’s end buyer, Koodoo Technologies (Koodoo), for a total amount of US$1,412,584.47. The plaintiff placed shipping orders with the defendant to arrange for the transportation of the cargoes from Hong Kong to Kotka, Finland. Between October to November 2014, seven Combined Bills of Lading (the CBs/L) were issued by the defendant as Combined Transport Operator (CTO) to the plaintiff as shipper.