ITIC helps ship manager successfully refute owner’s allegation of negligence

International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has successfully defended a ship manager against allegations of negligence made by a shipowner following the loss of a lifeboat overboard.

The lifeboat was subsequently found drifting off the port of Naze, Japan, after the master of the vessel had reported it missing. In view of the cost of deviating the ship to recover the lifeboat, compared to the cost of replacing it, it was decided, in consultation with hull underwriters and the vessel’s P&I club, to abandon it. The P&I club arranged for the lifeboat’s disposal through its correspondent in Japan.

The owner brought a claim against the ship manager for $90,000, which sum was moreover withheld against fees and disbursements owed to the manager, alleging that the loss of the lifeboat had been caused by the manager’s gross negligence and mismanagement.

However, under the SHIPMAN 2009 management contract governing the relationship between the parties, the owner had no right to set off a claim against what was owed to the manager. Neither could the owner provide any evidence to support its claim that the ship manager had been negligent, let alone grossly negligent.

A report into the incident concluded that it had not been possible to physically examine the release mechanism of the lifeboat before arrangements for its disposal were made by the P&I club correspondent in Japan. The lifeboat had successfully undergone its annual service and inspection six months previously, however, and had been wire-lashed on board the vessel for added security.

ITIC advised the owner that, if the sum owed to the manager was not paid, interest would be applied, and the ship would be arrested. The owner thereafter remitted the funds due, and nothing further was heard about the lost lifeboat.

ITIC is managed by Thomas Miller. More details about the club and the services it offers can be found on ITIC’s website at www.itic-insure.com


For more information:
Charlotte Kirk
ITIC
Tel. +44 (0)20 7338 0150
Fax. +44 (0)20 7338 0151
charlotte.kirk@thomasmiller.com

LISCR appoints new president and managing executive officer for Japan

THE Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the US-based manager of the Liberian Registry, has appointed Takeshi Okamoto as president and managing executive officer of its dedicated office in Tokyo with effect from January 4, 2013. He succeeds Shigeki Fukuda, who will now assume the role of chairman of LISCR Japan, in which capacity he will continue to be active in the strategic management of the registry. 

Takeshi Okamoto joined the Liberian Registry from ClassNK in 2012 as director of LISCR’s Tokyo office. During his time with ClassNK, one of the world’s largest classification societies, he served as a member of the technical rulemaking team and as a manager handling international issues such as IMO discussion, as well as a field surveyor and auditor for shipbuilding and ship operations in Hiroshima and Piraeus, Greece. Mr Okamoto is a graduate of Kyusyu University, where he earned his master’s degree in naval architecture.  

Mr. Okamoto says, “It is an honour to work for the Liberian Registry. Being part of the LISCR Tokyo staff and promoting the Liberian Registry in Japan is a rewarding challenge. I will strive to ensure that we continue to protect Liberian-flag vessels and their owners.”

Commenting on Mr Okamoto’s appointment, LISCR CEO Scott Bergeron says, “Japan is one of the world’s largest shipowning nations, respected internationally for its high standards. It is a very significant and growing market for Liberia, with strong historical origins. We are delighted that Takeshi Okamoto has agreed to lead our Tokyo office, and we are most confident that his skills and experience, in addition to his long-standing ties to the Japanese shipping community through his work with ClassNK, will further strengthen and develop our Japanese team.”

For a photo of Takeshi Okamoto, or of Scott Bergeron, go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/Merlinclients/LiberianRegistry or email chris@merlinco.com

The Liberian Registry is one of the world’s largest and most active shipping registers, with a long-established track record of combining the highest standards for vessels and crews with the highest standards of responsive service to owners. It has recently surpassed all-time tonnage records, with a registered fleet of approximately 4,000 ships, aggregating more than 131m gross tons. www.liscr.com