Damages bill

While berthing at a UK port, a Turkish owned ship struck the jetty. The agents passed the port’s repair bill of GBP37,850 to the owners. Nothing further was heard from the owners for a period of months. The port repeatedly pressed for payment and alleged that the agent was also liable for the bill. The port agent then settled the account with the port. The Turkish owners then advised that they disputed part of the claim and wanted to offer GBP 25,000 to the port. When the agent pointed out that, hearing nothing for a period of months, they had ultimately settled the bill, the owners refused to pay them the full amount. Following negotiations by ITIC with the owners and their P&I Club, the sum of GBP 30,250 was reimbursed by the owners leaving the agent to bear the shortfall.