Join our next Learning Luncheon event, organized in collaboration with the Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association, on Thursday, May 28th at 12pm in Vancouver.

Join our next Learning Luncheon event, organized in collaboration with the Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association, on Thursday, May 28th at 12pm in Vancouver. 

As geopolitical tensions escalate in the Straits of Hormuz, the global maritime community faces unprecedented contractual and operational uncertainty. This joint session by the Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association and Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Canada provides a critical analysis of the legal and commercial “ripple effects” impacting British Columbia’s shipping industry.

The presentation delves into the mechanics of Bill of Lading (B/L) clauses, specifically examining “Special Circumstances” and the broad Liberty Clauses that grant carriers the discretion to off-load cargo at alternative ports. For BC shippers, these clauses transform a predictable voyage into a high-stakes risk management challenge.

Key Discussion Points

• The Liberty to Deviate: Analyzing the legal threshold that allows carriers to terminate a voyage and discharge cargo “anywhere it deems fit.”
• Contractual Shields: A deep dive into Force Majeure and the common law doctrine of Frustration—when do they apply, and how high is the bar for relief?
• BC Shippers at Risk: Assessing the specific impacts on Western Canadian trade routes and insurance premiums

This in-person session is complimentary for all members of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.  A light lunch will be provided.