London Arbitration 32/22

Charterparty – Deductions from hire – Speed and consumption – Meaning of “good weather and smooth sea” – Methodology – Evidence of weather – Effect of favourable currents – Whether weather routing company’s report final

The subject vessel was chartered on an amended NYPE form for a time charter trip, carrying steel slabs from Brazil to Baltimore. After completion of the voyage, the owners claimed a balance of hire representing unlawful deductions. The charterers denied liability for any unlawful deductions but conceded the owners’ expenses for the charterers’ account in the absence of supporting vouchers. The dispute over the balance was referred to arbitration under the LMAA Small Claims Procedure.