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Saturday, 08 March 14
LETTERS OF INDEMNITY - SKULD
KNOWLEDGE TO ELEVATE
In today's trading market, owners are frequently requested to accept a letter of indemnity (LOI) in exchange for complying with charterers' or shipper's request to take on risks which can fall outside the contractual demands normally placed on a carrier. These can also fall outside the scope of standard insurance coverage, and hence deserve careful attention.
Key points of advice
- Taking a LOI against a request may create obligations outside of the basic contractual agreement;
- These may impact on standard insurance coverage;
- Careful consideration needs to be had of the nature and terms of the request;
-nature and terms of the request
-terms of the LOI
-party making the request
-authority of the signor of the LOI
-enforceability of the LOI
It is best to address these issues, if foreseeable, at the outset of the fixture, with suitable charter terms and LOI templates included as addenda to the charterparty
Owner's obligations
Owners' basic obligations are very closely connected with the three functions of a negotiable Bill of Lading (B/L), in particular as a:
- Receipt of the goods, which operates as prima facie evidence of the goods' quality and condition
- Evidence of / being the contract of carriage, which gives to the parties of the sales transaction rights against the carrier in regard to the safe carriage of the goods and their delivery at destination
- Document of title which is subject to transfer and endorsement and gives a right to demand delivery
Market practice
The owner's obligations are set down in law, and are also the basis for the insurance coverage for cargo claims, yet in practice parties may seek to adopt alternative practices that aim to address commercial considerations that arise from time to time.
The most common way of dealing with traders' requests outside the contractual obligations are closely related to the use of letters of indemnity (LOIs). These should contain, effectively, a straight forward promise: if you do what I ask, I will make sure that you do not suffer any loss.
Main types of LOI situations
Broadly speaking, LOIs can be distinguished between those related to shipment and those related to discharge.
Shipment LOIs
In general terms, LOIs requested upon shipment are closely connected with a request to the Master to issue a B/L that contains a representation, which was made knowingly or without belief in its accuracy, about matters such as the nature, condition or quantity of the cargo – BUT which are not correct.
For example, B/Ls with an incorrect description of goods (quality and / or quantity), a failure to mention defective packaging or incorrect dates of shipment (Antedated or Postdated B/Ls).
Discharge LOIs
On the other hand, LOIs at discharge are usually related with a request to the Master to deliver the goods in good faith without the production of the original Bs/L and/or at a port other than the one stated on the B/L.
Other LOI situations
There are, however, various other occasions where an LOI may be the only commercial way to deal with charterer's requests, which go beyond contractual and insurance limits.
For example there may be a request for co-mingling of liquid bulk cargoes or mixing of dry cargoes which obviously raise various problems in relation to the description of the "new" cargo and issuance of new set of B/Ls. There can also be incidents where an Owner needs to serve a request for issuing split B/Ls or substituting a B/L with an amended one and it may not always be possible to have the original returned before the new set is issued. Again on those occasions the pragmatic solution can be found in a provision of an LOI.
Considering a LOI request
When an LOI is to be accepted, special consideration should be given to the terms and the extent of liability in order to provide sufficient protection to the carrier. The reality is that many anticipated pitfalls can be forestalled through careful drafting of the LOI wording; thus reducing the risks involved.
The key features of the IG recommended wordings are the provisions for "indemnity for any liability, loss, damage to expense of whatever nature arising out of complying with the request" as well as the issuer's obligation to provide sufficient funds to defend any claim and arrange the placement of adequate security to any third party.
It is always best to consider such matters at the outset of a fixture, and to pre-arrange suitable contract terms and LOI templates rather than seek to agree these ad hoc, often under urgent time pressure.
Risks
It is indeed quite evident that acceptance of an LOI is not a risk free exercise. What it is important to keep in mind is that the security is only as good as the person granting it and hence it is important to carefully assess the financial standing of the issuer.
Moreover, the clubs will recommend that the guarantee should be countersigned by a first class bank in order to provide the carrier with a safety net when trying to enforce the LOI. The reality though is that the majority of the traders tend to resist such a request, and LOIs are often issued without such countersignature.
Furthermore, the scope of the indemnity needs to be kept as wide as possible and preferably not to include any time limit.
In a nutshell, what needs to be considered and carefully assessed when seeking to minimize the risks related to LOIs is the creditworthiness of the issuer, the authority of the person signing the LOI and at last but not least the prospects of enforceability.
A particular point to note is that for instance there is no reciprocal recognition between P.R. China and the United Kingdom of Court Judgments, but both nations apply the New York Convention on Arbitration Awards. Therefore care needs to be taken when considering the applicable law and jurisdiction of the LOI.
Authority to issue the letter of indemnity
In addition to carrying out a risk assessment exercise to ascertain the creditworthiness of the issuer before accepting an LOI, it is equally important to carefully scrutinize the original document and check the authority of the person signing it.
The LOI should be in a form of an original signed document on the issuer's headed notepaper (fax or e-mail may be sufficient) and should be signed by a clearly identified signatory accompanied by an express statement that he/she is authorized to sign on behalf of the issuer. Needless to say, the original LOI should be sent out to the owners as soon as possible.
In case of doubt or concern, a senior officer of the company, such as a director of the board, should be asked to either sign the LOI or delegate the authority to a designated person, backed by a clear board resolution given the authority.
Straight indemnity clauses
Most issues that arise when an actual LOI is to be provided can be sorted out at the outset by incorporating a "straight indemnity clause" in the charterparty.
Such a clause provides for charterers to indemnify owners where the cargo is discharged without production of the B/L or at a place other than the one stated in the B/L.
In practice such a clause can help to ensure fast resolution of requests, as no separate LOI wording needs to be negotiated or considered. Furthermore the basic law and jurisdiction provisions of the charterparty will apply, which again speeds up the process.
It is important, however, to ensure such clause retains discretion for the owners to refuse a request to deliver without the original bill and the indemnity included needs to be worded sufficiently widely. The former is important so that the owner can protect himself in case there are suspect circumstances at the delivery port.
Enforceability
The rule of thumb that one needs to bear in mind is that an LOI which is accepted in return of issuing a B/L which is not accurate, may be unenforceable as it has the effect of potentially prejudicing an innocent party. Indeed, under English law, it may actually be held to be a fraud on the 3rd party.
Nevertheless, enforceability will always depend on the jurisdiction which either is designated for the dispute resolution, or which is seized of the matter.
The ethical dilemma is that both the carrier and the charterer are parties to the same situation and LOI device, and if the carrier is not permitted to eventually invoke the LOI against the charterer because of the perceived "fraud", the charterers is thus indirectly permitted to benefit from the situation. The concern for a court, however, would typically be the innocent 3rd party that may have been disadvantaged, and both owner and charterer will be taken to have taken a calculated commercial risk and will have to take on board the consequences.
A LOI may be enforceable, however, if there is a genuine doubt about the underlying situation such as whether or not the cargo is damaged when loaded onto the vessel, or the precise quantity laden. Also, a LOI for delivery without production of original B/L and/or change of destination should be to be enforceable, if the owner can show he had no reason to suspect that there was any underlying foul play involved, and it was just – ostensibly – a genuine matter undertaken for commercial convenience.
Duration of the LOI
As far as the duration of an LOI is concerned, it is obvious that there are indeed conflicting interests between owners and the LOI issuer.
The usual time limit under English law for a contractual claim is six years while the time bar limit for claims against the carrier under the Hague-Visby Rules is one year from the date of delivery or the date when the cargo should have been delivered.
The owner is obviously better protected if the LOI is either without a time limit or it is clearly stipulated therein that the LOI will expire after seven years.
The relevant provisions included in the IG LOI wordings provide that liability is to be terminated only when the original B/L is delivered to the carrier, if not, liability continues.
P&I considerations
As within the frame of todays' demanding market there is a wide recognition of the commercial pressure faced by carriers. Nevertheless, it is common ground between all P&I clubs that the principle of mutuality needs to be maintained and hence all members must comply with the Rules.
A LOI is an alternative to P&I cover as it applies to situations where the carrier needs to operate outside the scope of the rules. However, the clubs are always willing to offer assistance with the drafting of LOIs for non-production of B/L or change of destination as well as to discuss any other issue related to a situation where a request for an LOI is to be considered.
The association invites all members to consult the individual claims handlers whenever an LOI related issue comes up for discussion within the scope of their vessel's trading operation.
Source: Skuld / Hellenic Shipping
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Tuesday, 04 March 14
HIGHER PRICES AND STEADY FREIGHT RATES LEAD SHIP OWNERS TO TEMPORARILY HALT SECOND HAND VESSEL PURCHASES - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS
As the dry bulk market has kept on improving, but at a very slow rate, ship owners have elected to take a step back from the flurry of the S&P m ...
Monday, 03 March 14
SUB-BIT INDONESIA COAL SWAP (FOB) FOR AVERAGE Q115 CLOSED AT $60.28, $ 1.70 HIGHER THAN 2Q14
COALspot.com – Indonesia, the world’s largest exporter of the thermal coal's swaps for delivery April - June 2014 slightly corrected do ...
Monday, 03 March 14
API 8 CFR SOUTH CHINA SWAPS: Q4' 2014 DELIVERY CLOSED US$ 1.40 HIGHER COMPARED TO Q2' 2014 DELIVERY
COALspot.com: API 8 CFR South China Coal swaps for average Q2 14 deliveries lost 1.90 percent month on month and closed at US$ 76.27 per mt as on Fr ...
Monday, 03 March 14
COSTS LIABILITY PASSING DOWN A CHARTERPARTY CHAIN - SKULD
KNOWLEDGE TO ELEVATE
Provided that charterparties are on back to back terms, and the claim is successful, liability for costs incurred shoul ...
Sunday, 02 March 14
THE FREIGHT MARKET WAS STEADY TO FIRM THIS PAST WEEK - CAPT. REDDY
COALspot.com: The freight market was steady to firm this past week. The BDI was up 7.06 pct and closed at 1258 points and the cape index was also fi ...
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Showing 3821 to 3825 news of total 6871 |
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- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Planning Commission, India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- The University of Queensland
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- PTC India Limited - India
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
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