Stournaras Stylianos Monoprosopi EPE v Maersk A/S [2024] EWHC 2494 (Comm) - King's Bench Division, Commercial Court (Lionel Persey KC, sitting as a Judge of the High Court) - 7 October 2024

Carriage of goods - Claim by consignee against carrier - Shippers fraudulently loading containers of concrete blocks rather than copper wire - Weight discrepancy not noted on bills of lading - Duty of carrier to consignee - Duty of care in tort - Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992 - Hague Rules, article III.3

In November 2019 the claimant, Stournaras Stylianos Monoprosopi EPE, entered into three contracts with the shippers, Alembery General Trd Fzc, each for the purchase of a consignment of copper. The price was based on a price per metric ton. The claimant was to pay the shipper advance payments, which it paid in the sum of US$279,261 in the period 14 to 19 November 2019. The balance of the purchase price was to be paid on presentation of a list of documents, including bills of lading.