Recovery of unpaid commissions

Chartering brokers requested the assistance of the Club to recover commissions of US$ 21,788 in respect of the fixture of several vessels over a period of more than a year.  The Club's demands for payment were ignored and further action was under consideration when another Member reported that they had been unable to collect outstanding commissions of US$ 5,789 due to them from the same principal.

Enquiries revealed that a ship managed by a division of the group concerned was reported to be sailing towards the Antilles and information was obtained that the ship was to be stemmed with bunkers on arrival.  A local lawyer was instructed to arrest the bunkers as security for the outstanding commission.

An order for arrest was obtained from the Court and the debtor responded immediately with instructions to their bank to make an immediate remittance, whereupon the ship was released.