International Law Offices commenced settlement of the issues related to collision of container ships «CMA CGM VERLAINE» (IMO# 9221815) and «ODESSA STAR» (IMO#9223746) having occurred on 4 April at 09.30 a.m. local time in the Izmit Bay located in the northeastern part of the Marmara Sea (Turkey).

According to the media reports m/v CMA CGM VERLAINE that performed carriage of the container cargoes from Shanghai (People’s Republic of China) to Ilyichevsk (Ukraine) with the intermediate ports got a hole and was rescued from sinking by tugs. In the result of the collision several container ships were damaged and sank, some part of the containers might be damaged by water. The exact damage has not been assessed. Both vessels are detained by the Harbour Master of the port of Izmit until all circumstances have been clarified.

As of 19 April 2010 CMA CGM SHIPPING AGENCIES UKRAINE sent the information to the owners of the cargoes according to which “Containers carried on m/v “CMA CGM Verlaine” to the ports of discharge Odessa and Ilyichevsk were discharged in the port of Yilport, Turkey. The owners of m/v “CMA CGM Verlaine” announced the General Average. In this connection the charterers (CMA CGM) contacted the adjusters (“Schlimme & Partners”). Now they are waiting for the further guidelines regarding the bonds and guarantees under the General Average to be provided for containers release.”

The working experience under the general average cases, in particular, the situation with m/v NORASIA TAURUS in Egypt’s Damietta Port on 16 July 2005 in solving of which International Law Offices on the behalf of some owners of the cargo, does confirm the necessity for consolidation of the cargo owners to raise efficiency of actions aimed at prompt release of cargo and reduction in general costs.

Considering the community of the cargo owners interests International Law Offices being a correspondent member of the International Association of European Average Adjusters is ready to render operational legal and consulting assistance to the Ukrainian cargo owners, carriers and forwarders on any issues related to the said incident.

Contact details:
Nikolay Melnykov, partner
Artem Skorobogatov, Head of the Logistics Division

tel: (048) 715 58 55
fax: (0482) 49 69 25
e-mail: odessa@interlegal.com.ua

General Average is a situation leading to a voluntary sacrifice of part of the ship or cargo to save the whole in an emergency and all parties (shipowners, charterers and owners of the goods) in a sea venture proportionally share any losses resulting from.

Articles and information related to the issue:
www.interlegal.com.ua/taurus/
www.interlegal.com.ua/dispatch/
www.interlegal.com.ua/general_average/