Defective passage plan made CMA CGM boxship unseaworthy

Cargo owners have resisted a general average (GA) claim after a UK High Court trial ruling that sets a new standard for the seaworthiness of ships.

It is believed to be the first time a defective passage plan has rendered a vessel unseaworthy in law ahead of a voyage.

French line CMA CGM was claiming the remaining $800,000 from a GA claim of $13m after its laden 11,356-teu CMA CGM Libra (built 2009) grounded while leaving the port of Xiamen, China, in 2011.