Table of Contents. Outline Table of Contents... IX. Table of Contents... XI. Abbreviations... XVII. Introduction...1

Transcription

1 Table of Contents Outline Table of Contents... IX Table of Contents... XI Abbreviations... XVII Introduction...1 Part 1 [Factual Situation and Legal Foundations]...5 A. The Classification of Vessels...5 I. The Concept of Classification...5 II. The Historical Development of Classification Societies...8 III. The Relevance of Classification Societies for the Maritime Industry The Necessity of a Classification of Vessels Marine Insurance and Classification Societies The Norwegian Saleform and a Confirmation of Class Charter Parties and Classification Societies The Rules of a Classification Society Marine Surveyors Other Activities...21 IV. The Relevance of Classification Societies for the International Community...22 V. The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)...24 VI. Current Challenges for Classification Societies The Dual Role of Classification Societies Selling Safety in a Competitive Environment Shipowners/Operators Have to Report Damage Sub-standard Classification Societies Current International Developments: Goal-based Standards Classification Societies in Litigation...40 B. Private Operations and Public Functions in Detail...43 I. Private Operations Contracts and Contracting Parties Obligations of the Classification Society...46

2 XII Table of Contents 3. The Contents of the Classification Certificate, the Confirmation of Class and the Register of Ships II. Public Functions The Agreement with the Flag State on the Delegation of Power and the Statutory Survey Contract with the Shipowner or Shipyard Obligations of the Classification Society C. Non-Delegable Duty of the Shipowner to Make the Vessel Seaworthy and Presumption of Unseaworthiness Part 2 [Legal Analysis] A. Private Functions: The Protection of Contracting Parties I. English Law Liability for Breach of Contractual Duty Implied Contractual Duty to Exercise Reasonable Care and Skill Tort of Negligence Exemption and Limitation Clauses II. United States Law The Applicable Law: Federal or State Law Breach of Contract, Warranty of Workmanlike Performance and Tort Law The Leading Precedents a. The Great American Insurance Case aa. The Facts bb. The Verdict cc. Case Comment b. The Shipping Corporation of India II Case c. The Sundance Case aa. The Facts bb. The Verdict cc. Case Comment d. The Interore III Case e. Conclusion Exemption and Limitation Clauses III. German Law The Legal Nature of the Contract Liability for Breach of Contract Tort Law Exemption and Limitation Clauses IV. Conclusion B. Private Functions: Liability Towards Third Parties I. English Law Contractual Protection of the Third Party Tort of Negligence a. Mariola Marine Corporation v. Lloyd s Register of Shipping (The Morning Watch ) b. The Marc Rich Case (The Nicholas H. )

3 Table of Contents XIII aa. The Facts bb. The Verdict (1) Direct Physical Loss (2) Voluntary Assumption of Responsibility (3) Policy Considerations: Insurance (4) Policy Considerations: the Role of Classification Societies (5) Policy Considerations: Regulations on the Limitation of Liability (6) Conclusions cc. Case Comment (1) Reasonable Reliance (2) Policy Considerations (3) Consequences: to Whom Are the Societies Liable? c. Reeman v. Department of Transport aa. The Facts bb. The Verdict cc. Case Comment d. Perrett v. Collins and Others aa. The Facts bb. The Verdict cc. Case Comment: Fairness, Justice and Reasonableness to be Considered? e. Conclusion: Marc Rich Reasoning to be Applied to All Cases? Tort of Deceit a. Braginton v. Chapman and Others (The Midas ) b. Thiodon v. Tindall (The Ibex ) The Effect of Disclaimers of Liability Conclusion II. United States Law Contractual Right of Indemnity Tort of Negligence a. The Steamship Mutual Case b. The Gulf Tampa Drydock Case c. The Continental Insurance Case d. The Psarianos Case e. Again: The Great American Insurance Case f. Conclusions Tort of Negligent Misrepresentation a. The Coastal (Bermuda) Case b. The Somarelf II Case aa. The Facts bb. The Verdict cc. Case Comment c. Again: The Sundance Case d. The Cargill Case...169

4 XIV Table of Contents e. The Otto Candies Case aa. The Facts bb. The Verdict cc. Case Comment f. 311 Restatement (Second) of Torts Strict Liability? a. Abnormally Dangerous Activities b. Liability for Defective Products c. Conclusion Tort of Fraudulent Misrepresentation The Effect of Disclaimers of Liability Conclusion III. German Law Implied Agreement to Provide Information (Konkludenter Abschluss eines Auskunftsvertrages) Contract with Protective Effects Towards Third Parties (Vertrag mit Schutzwirkung zugunsten Dritter) a. Proximity of Performance (Leistungsnähe) b. Interest of the Contractual Creditor (Gläubigernähe) c. Foreseeability (Erkennbarkeit) d. Third Party in Need of Protection (Schutzbedürftigkeit des Dritten) aa. Recipients of a Confirmation of Class bb. Passengers cc. Crew Members dd. Insurance Companies e. Addendum: Incorrect Information by the Shipowner Culpa in Contrahendo (1) BGB a. Verkehrspflicht: Surveying and Rule-making as a Potential Source of Danger b. Two Verkehrspflichten of a Similar Kind Exoneration of One of the Tortfeasors? c. Technical Standards as the Relevant Standard of Care d. Other Prerequisites of 823 (1) BGB (2) BGB BGB The Effect of Disclaimers Conclusion IV. Application of the Conclusions to Claims by Different Parties Claims by Recipients of a Confirmation of Class Claims by Persons Which have Consulted the Classification Certificate or the Ship s Register Claims by Legal Subjects Which Have not Received Information a. Persons that Have Been Affected in Their Life or Health b. Legal Subjects that Have Sustained Other Damage

5 Table of Contents XV C. Public Functions I. Liability under English Law Claims by Private Parties a. Liability of the Classification Society b. Liability of the Crown for the Acts of the Classification Society Recourse of the Flag State II. Liability under United States Law Claims by Private Parties a. Choosing the Plaintiff: Whether to Sue the Classification Society or the U.S. Government b. The Concept of Immunity c. The Discretionary Function Exemption Recourse of the Flag State III. Liability under German Law Claims by Private Parties a. Civil Liability or State Liability for the Survey of Vessels b. Preconditions of 839 BGB c. State Liability as a Subsidiary Liability Recourse of the Flag State IV. Excursus: Damage Caused by Both a Classification and Statutory Survey Part 3 [A Convention on the Limitation of Liability of Classification Societies] A. The Limitation of Liability in Shipping I. The History of Limitations II. Cargo Limitations III. Global Limitations IV. Limitations as Regards Passengers V. Limitations of Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage B. Limitation of Liability under the Current System of Limitations I. On the Application of Existing Limitation Regulations to Classification Societies International Conventions a. Cargo Limitations: The Hague/Visby and Hamburg Rules aa. Interpretation of Servant, Agent and Independent Contractor in the Hague/Visby Rules (1) Grammatical Interpretation (2) Systematic Interpretation (3) Functional Interpretation bb. The Hamburg Rules cc. Private Limitations under the Bills of Lading: Himalaya Clauses b. Limitations by the LLMC c. Limitations by the Athens Convention...287

6 XVI Table of Contents d. Special Limitations: CLC and HNS Convention aa. The CLC bb. The HNS Convention Regional Regulation: Directive 94/57/EC National Regulation: USA a. Cargo Limitations b. Global Limitations c. Special Limitations: OPA 1990 and CERCLA CMI Model Contractual Clauses and Principles of Conduct Conclusion II. The Estonia Case an Example of the Effects of the Current System III. Conclusion C. Justifications of a New Convention on the Limitation of Liability I. Classification Societies as a Part of the Maritime Safety System II. Insurance and Compensation Insurability of Unlimited Claims Against Classification Societies Should the Shipowner be Protected from Additional Insurance Costs? III. Existence of a System of Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage IV. Self-Protection of Classification Societies by Company Law V. Liability and the Control of Old Vessels VI. How Should the Interests be Balanced? Prevention and Compensation Economic Efficiency Conclusion: Exemption, Limitation or Unlimited Liability? D. Principles of a Convention on the Limitation of Liability I. European or International Law? II. Strict Liability? III. Harmonised Basis of Fault Liability? IV. Reversal of the Burden of Proof? V. Basis of Limitation: Tonnage or Fees? VI. Level of Limitations VII. Interrelation with the Limitation of Liability of the Shipowner E. The Limitation of Liability for Public Functions F. Conclusion Bibliography Table of Cases Table of International Conventions Index

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