Journal Article: Bunker suppliers’ insolvencies: time to reconsider maritime liens? by Dr Victor Chacón

CML congratulates our former Senior Research Fellow,  Dr Victor Chacón, on the publication of his article, ‘Bunker suppliers’ insolvencies: time to reconsider maritime liens?’ in Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly.   The article analyses recent cases in litigation resulting from bunker suppliers’ insolvencies which has revealed flaws in the law applicable to debt collection from physical suppliers. The maritime lien for necessaries would be an effective mechanism, but it was clearly excluded from English Law in the nineteenth century based on public policy at that time. In the United States, it is established by statute, but as circumstances have changed, a strict interpretation of the statute has lessened its effectiveness. An examination of the mechanism for enforcing these claims, the recent case law, and the current realities of the industry, suggest that the law for this maritime lien should be reconsidered.

Victor Chacon, “Bunker suppliers’ insolvencies: time to reconsider maritime liens?” [2022] Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly 437-466

More about Victor’s project can be found here.

Project Ref: RP511901VC