Our Freight, Demurrage & Defence cover responds to a wide variety of claims and disputes of a shipping nature. The list below sets out the principal types of claims and disputes covered, with an indication of what each head of cover means in practice. It is intended as a guide: if you are unsure whether a particular dispute falls within cover, our claims team will always be pleased to advise, without obligation.
Unpaid Freight, Hire and Demurrage
The recovery of sums due to the Member under charterparties and contracts of carriage is the classic FD&D claim. Cover extends to the recovery of unpaid freight, unpaid hire instalments, demurrage and detention claims – as well as to the defence of unjustified claims for the same brought against the Member. Our team pursues these claims vigorously, from initial demand through to arbitration and enforcement where necessary.
Cancellation of Charterparties
The wrongful cancellation or repudiation of a charterparty can leave a Member with substantial losses – a ship without employment, or cargo without a ship. Cover responds to disputes arising from such cancellations, including claims for damages for loss of the charter, and to the defence of cancellation claims brought against the Member.
Detention, Delay and Loss of Use of a Ship
Time is money in shipping, and the wrongful detention of a vessel – whether by a counterparty, a port authority or another third party – can cause significant loss. Cover responds to claims arising from wrongful detention, delays and the resulting loss of use and earnings of the ship.
Loss of or Damage to a Ship
Cover responds to disputes concerning physical loss of or damage to the entered ship, including claims under shipbuilding, repair and conversion contracts; disputes arising out of the sale and purchase of the vessel; and claims against third parties responsible for damage to the ship.
Recovery of General Average Contributions
Following a general average act, the shipowner is entitled to contributions from cargo interests and the other parties to the common maritime adventure. Cover provides assistance and legal cost protection in recovering those contributions, including where cargo interests decline to pay or dispute the adjustment.
And More
The list above is illustrative, not exhaustive. Disputes under bunker supply contracts, agency and management agreements, insurance policies, towage and salvage contracts, and stevedoring contracts may also fall within cover, subject to the club rules. The common thread is simple: if the dispute is of a shipping nature and concerns the entered ship, we want to hear about it.
Why Work With Us
As a specialist marine insurance provider, we combine deep technical knowledge with a genuinely commercial outlook. Our Members benefit from competitive and transparent terms, cover that is tailored to their actual trading pattern rather than a one-size-fits-all wording, and a team that is available around the clock, every day of the year. We measure our success not by the policies we issue, but by the problems we solve for our Members – quickly, quietly and cost-effectively.
Get in Touch
If you would like to learn more about our FD&D cover, request a quotation, or simply discuss your current insurance arrangements with an expert, our underwriting team would be delighted to hear from you. Contact us today by phone or e-mail, or complete the enquiry form on our contact page, and one of our specialists will come back to you within one business day. There is no obligation, and every enquiry is handled in strict confidence.