CHARTERPARTY -- WHETHER THE AGENT/MANAGER ACTED ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTERED OWNERS -- WHETHER REGISTERED OWNERS WERE PARTY TO THE CHARTERPARTIES -- MEANING OF THE PHRASE “DISPONENT OWNER” -- Registered Owners Award
The Charterer submitted a damages claim against the Registered Owners of four vessels after they were withdrawn from the Charterers service. The Registered Owners claimed that they were not bound to the charterparties because they were not party to them, but rather by a third party without the authority to act on their behalf.