Ricardo Rozas
Updates
Shipping & Transport
Protocol for detection of suspected COVID-19 cases in Chilean ports
Chile | 23 December 2020The Sub-secretariat of Public Health recently developed the Protocol for the Detection of Suspected Cases of COVID-19 in Ports (Phase 4). The protocol aims to define actions for vessels requesting entry into the country or carrying out cabotage, establish guidelines for the timely detection of COVID-19 in ports and determine the action to be taken in the face of suspected COVID-19 cases detected at ports.
Complementary resolutions to cargo delivery procedures issued
Chile | 05 August 2020Customs recently issued three complementary resolutions to its cargo delivery procedures. However, grey areas remain regarding their interpretation and practical implementation, particularly in connection with the potential delivery of cargo without surrender of the original bill of lading. In this respect, ocean carriers should proceed carefully and liaise with their Chilean port agents to define interim protocols.
Constitutional remedy incorrect legal tool for challenging vessel arrests
Chile | 29 April 2020In an unprecedented action, the owners of a vessel attempted to undermine arrest measures by bringing a constitutional remedy before the Concepción Court of Appeal. The decision helps to protect the institution and procedure relating to vessel arrests and implies more certainty in terms of the outcome of such proceedings.
COVID-19 crisis and changes to cargo delivery procedures
Chile | 01 April 2020In the context of the current COVID-19 crisis, Customs recently issued Resolution 1179/20, which implements transitory modes for the treatment of various customs procedures and the ways of presenting documents associated therewith to facilitate foreign trade transactions. Among these transitory measures, Customs has authorised electronic exchanges and amendments to bills of lading. However, customs agents must now obtain the original bill of lading from its issuer and keep it in its importation file.
New law allows passenger cabotage on foreign cruise vessels
Chile | 12 June 2019The Merchant Navy Law, which includes a cabotage reservation system, implies that only Chilean vessels are permitted to provide maritime or fluvial transport services (of cargo or passengers) within Chile or its exclusive economic zone. However, Law 21,138 recently came into force, allowing passenger cabotage on foreign cruise vessels provided that certain conditions are met.
New law increases criminal liability for damage to hydro-biological resources
Chile | 08 May 2019Law 21,132 recently came into force and introduced new definitions of criminal offences in connection with marine biological resources, including the exploitation of banned natural resources or products extracted from the seabed and overfishing. In the case of spills that cause damage to hydro-biological resources, shipowners operating in Chile are now subject to greater contingency – not only in terms of administrative penalties, but also in connection with criminal liability.
Courts clarify meaning of 'personal acts' of shipowners
Chile | 24 October 2018The owners of a Chilean tugboat constituted a limitation fund to respond to damages suffered by different parties in connection with the sinking of a towed vessel following a salvage and towage operation. The plaintiffs opposed the fund's constitution, arguing that 'personal acts' committed by the tug's owners exempted them from the right to limit liability. The Supreme Court recently rejected the opposition; its decision should provide future certainty regarding the interpretation and scope of shipowners' personal acts.
Navigating choppy waters – new wreck removal provisions introduced
Chile | 02 May 2018Law 21,066 recently came into force and amended the Navigation Law in connection with the extraction of sunk or stranded vessels and harmful materials contained therein. The changes strengthen marine environment preservation and navigation safety, and the new faculties granted to the Maritime Authority in respect of ships or craft whose condition poses a risk or danger represent a positive change.
Recognition of salvors' rights to limit liability
Chile | 28 February 2018A limitation fund was recently constituted in the context of a salvage and towage operation. The plaintiffs opposed the fund's constitution, arguing that, under Chilean law, salvors are not entitled to limit their liability. The Valparaiso Second Civil Court rejected the opposition and upheld the limitation fund. The decision is one of the most relevant substantive decisions in this regard and should provide future certainty in the safeguarding salvors' rights to limit their liability.
Criminal liability for spills that cause damage to hydro-biological resources
Chile | 16 November 2016A recent Valparaiso Court of Appeal decision restricts the application of criminal liability for spills that cause damage to hydro-biological resources to cases associated with malicious acts. Although the first-instance court held that the provision covered negligence, as the introduction of polluting agents could be the result of an accident, the Valparaiso Court of Appeal reversed that decision and held that, under the Constitution, no law establishes penalties if the conduct is not expressly described therein.
Recent developments on civil liability derived from pollution claims
Chile | 20 July 2016Chile is a party to the 1992 Civil Liability Convention. Approval of the amendments to the limitation amounts contained in the convention has been a positive step towards harmonisation with the international community. However, the adoption of the 1992 Fund Convention and the Supplementary Fund Protocol continue to be important missing parts of the international compensation regime, exposing Chile to the pollution contingency above its 89.7 million special drawing rights cap.
Maritime enquiries in case of accidents or losses
Chile | 14 October 2015The Maritime Authority is authorised to initiate a maritime enquiry into accidents and losses involving vessels or persons in Chilean territorial waters, channels, lakes or navigable rivers to determine the causes and the parties responsible. When civil liability arising from a collision is sought at trial, the causes set out in the Maritime Authority's resolution are deemed to be true, unless proven otherwise.
Courts accept letter of undertaking as sufficient guarantee in arrest of vessel
Chile | 25 February 2015There are no specific regulations in Chile regarding the nature of security that may be requested by claimants on the arrest of a vessel. Protection and indemnity insurance club letters of undertaking were previously accepted only if agreed by the arrest petitioner. However, in a recent case the court hearing the arrest accepted a letter of undertaking with no prior approval from the arrest petitioner.
Court confirms arbitral tribunals' competence in maritime disputes
Chile | 28 May 2014Article 1203 of the Commerce Code establishes that maritime disputes must be resolved through arbitral proceedings. However, some parties seek to override this mandatory provision. The Valparaiso Court of Appeal recently confirmed that shipping disputes must go through arbitration and held that an ordinary court had no competence to hear a shipping dispute.
Tribunal rules on request to abrogate immunity for shipping conferences
Chile | 06 November 2013The Tribunal for the Defence of Free Competition has recently ruled on a request that the Merchant Navy Law be modified to annul a competition exemption enjoyed by shipping conferences, pool agreements and consortiums. The tribunal ruled that the requested abrogation of the law is unnecessary, provided that antitrust authorities can still investigate and punish conduct that may attempt to impede free competition.
New insurance law brings changes for shipping industry
Chile | 24 July 2013A new law was recently enacted to replace the provisions on general and non-marine insurance contained in the Code of Commerce, so that Chilean insurance law could be updated in line with current trends and market practice. The law contains a number of amendments to the existing marine insurance provisions, all of which have been in force since 1988.
Tribunal considers request to abrogate immunity for shipping conferences
Chile | 20 February 2013The Tribunal for the Defence of Free Competition is in the process of reviewing a request from the National Economic Office of the Public Prosecutor that the Merchant Navy Law be modified, annulling a competition exemption enjoyed by shipping conferences, pool agreements and consortiums. The proposed amendment aims to harmonise the industry's regulations with the principles of free competition.
Free competition? Court examines rules and regulations for port tender
Chile | 19 December 2012Mooring facilities in the Valparaiso region are subject to a number of rules and restrictions in order to ensure that free competition is maintained. A recent decision of the Court for the Defence of Free Competition has detailed the conditions that should apply in relation to the tender for Terminal 2 at Valparaiso port, in order to make the process more flexible and successful.
Court confirms competence of arbitration tribunals for maritime disputes
Chile | 19 September 2012Article 1203 of the Commercial Code establishes the general principle that the resolution of any maritime dispute, including those relating to marine insurance, is subject to arbitration. However, in certain cases the ordinary civil courts may hear maritime disputes. The Supreme Court of Justice has recently confirmed the correct interpretation criteria and held that mandatory arbitration applies for shipping disputes.
Changes to casino regulations favour foreign vessels
Chile | 06 June 2012In 2011 the government promoted a draft amendment of the regulation that applies to casinos based on cruise vessels, in order to increase economic competitiveness in this market and to bring Chile into line with other significant economic activities. However, the enacted Casino Law, in all matters regarding cruise vessels, kept only partially to the draft amendment.
Implications of insurance law changes for the shipping industry
Chile | 29 February 2012The Chamber of Deputies of the Chilean National Congress has recently approved a bill to replace the provisions on general and non-marine insurance. Under the bill, in addition to relating directly to ships, marine insurance will now apply to facilities and machinery used for loading, unloading and stevedoring operations, and will cover other goods or assets that the parties consider to be exposed to marine risks.
Forthcoming changes to casino regulations for cruise vessels
Chile | 05 October 2011The number of cruise vessels calling at Chilean ports has decreased dramatically since 2008, a trend partly caused by the current prohibition on the functioning of game casinos in territorial waters. However, under a proposed draft amendment to the Casinos Law, the excessively onerous requirements currently in force for the exploitation of casino games in cruising vessels will be at least partially eliminated.
Potential regulatory changes in the cabotage trade
Chile | 22 June 2011Under the Merchant Navy Law, only Chilean vessels are permitted to provide maritime or fluvial transport services (of cargo or passengers) within the national territory or in the exclusive economic zone. Under a recent modification proposal, foreign vessels will now be permitted to undertake cabotage, subject to restrictions. Local shipping companies fear that this may result in potential loss of labour for Chilean crews.
Courts offer interim measures of protection for shipping disputes arbitrated abroad
Chile | 01 December 2010A Santiago City court has confirmed the court's jurisdiction to grant interim protection measures in connection with ongoing arbitral proceedings conducted in New York. This was the first time that this criterion had been tested in the context of international arbitration proceedings relating to a shipping dispute.
Clarification given on court jurisdiction to handle constitution of limitation fund
Chile | 16 June 2010A minister of a Chilean court of appeal recently issued a first instance judgment confirming the court's jurisdiction to handle proceedings relating to the constitution of a limitation fund. The proceedings were commenced by a Chilean owner in regard to alleged pollution liability arising from a collision with a foreign vessel that resulted in spilled bunkers.
Enforcing a foreign arbitral award under Chilean law: arrest of a vessel
Chile | 03 February 2010It is well known that arbitration clauses are the general rule when dealing with bills of lading, time or voyage charters or contracts of affreightment. Unfortunately, the parties to these agreements are not always aware of the real scope of these clauses and the steps required to enforce an arbitral award, particularly when the enforcement is requested in a different jurisdiction to that which resolved the dispute.
Regulation to Expedite Container Recovery Issued
Chile | 16 September 2009The Customs Authority recently issued Resolution 4730/2009, which amended Chapter III of the Compendium of Customs Regulations. The deconsolidation of a container can now be requested whenever the goods cannot be cleared during or after the legal storage period, or whenever the dispatch has been suspended. It is hoped that these changes will expedite the turnaround time for container use.
Court of Appeal Confirms that Notice of Arrival of Goods is Not a Carrier's Duty
Chile | 25 February 2009The Iquique Court of Appeal recently issued a second instance judgment confirming a recent arbitration award which held that in Chile, the carrier and its agents and servants are not liable for failure to notify the consignee of the arrival of the vessel and goods.
Notice of Arrival of Goods - Not a Carrier's Duty
Chile | 08 October 2008A recently issued first instance arbitration award has confirmed that in Chile, a carrier and its agents and servants are not liable for failure to notify the consignee of the arrival of the vessel and goods. Any previous notices given by the carrier to the consignee do not constitute a binding practice and thus do not oblige the carrier or its agents and servants to do the same every time.
Ship Agents under Chilean law
Chile | 18 June 2008Under Chilean law, four categories of agent are involved in shipping activities: general agents; ship agents; stowage and unstowage agents (also known as wharfage companies); and protecting agents. This update looks at some of the common and specific rules which apply to each category.
Chilean Rules on Collisions
Chile | 05 December 2007Chilean collision regulations apply to damages that arise, for example, from a collision between two or more vessels or from waves caused by the movement of a vessel resulting in damage to other vessels, cargo or people onboard, even if an actual collision does not occur.
The Chilean Naval Mortgage System Explained
Chile | 15 August 2007The regulations regarding naval mortgages are contained in Book 3, Title 3 of the Chilean Code of Commerce. The naval mortgage can be defined as a real right that may be established on large vessels and naval devices (under Chilean regulations, those with a gross registered tonnage of more than 50 tons), built or under construction, provided they are duly registered in the respective Chilean licence register.
Liability and Burden of Proof in Cargo Claims against Carriers
Chile | 25 April 2007A Supreme Court decision has confirmed that cargo claims against ocean carriers are now subject to a higher test, as the presumption of fault or negligence on the part of the carrier for loss of or damage to the goods or for delay in delivery will not be triggered if it cannot be shown that the damage, loss or delay in delivery occurred during the carrier's period of responsibility.
Duties and Requirements under the Salvage Regulations
Chile | 31 January 2007The Chilean Code of Commerce regulates 'salvage', which is defined as any act or activity undertaken to assist a vessel, naval device or property in danger, regardless of the waters where the act occurs or the activity is performed. The salvage regulations apply to all salvage operations unless the relevant contract expressly or implicitly stipulates otherwise.
Carrier's Delivery Obligations: The Sonex Case
Netherlands | 04 October 2006A recent first-instance judgment of the Court of Rotterdam questioned conclusions reached in two English shipping decisions. The Dutch case concerned the question of whether a carrier is relieved of its obligations under a bill of lading when it has delivered goods to a customs authority when obliged to do so by local regulations.
Validity of Sea Waybills for Customs Purposes
Chile | 13 September 2006The Customs Authority has issued a report clarifying that sea waybills are valid documents for evidencing the consignment of goods in the context of customs clearance proceedings. This resolution overrides the authority's earlier Decision 1460/03, which drew the opposite conclusion.
Review of Towage Regulations
Chile | 26 July 2006Towage is regulated under Title V, Paragraph 6 of the Code of Commerce. In this respect, Chilean regulations distinguish between two different types of towage operation: transport towage and manoeuvres towage. The code also sets out various requirements for the tug to be used in both types of towage.
Further Changes to Cargo Delivery Procedures
Chile | 17 May 2006The Customs Authority has issued a resolution implementing modifications to the cargo delivery procedures relating to Chilean free trade zones. The new resolution complements rules introduced in 2005 to overcome the problem of cargo delivery at Chilean ports without surrender of the original bill of lading.
Regulatory Changes in Cargo Delivery Procedures
Chile | 23 November 2005The Customs Authority has issued Resolution 3505/05, which refers to additional procedures for the clearance of oil bulk cargoes. The resolution sets out an exception relating to the circumstances in which a copy of the original bill of lading can be provided instead of using the original.
The Chilean Compulsory Arbitration System for Maritime Disputes
Chile | 07 September 2005Under the Chilean Commerce Code, all maritime disputes must be resolved by an arbitrator. However, in certain cases the ordinary civil courts may hear maritime disputes, including if the parties mutually agree to this either by including it in the contract from which the dispute arises or by prior written agreement.
Regulatory Changes in Cargo Delivery Procedures in Chile
Chile | 22 June 2005A resolution recently issued by the Customs Authority has finally overcome the problem of cargo delivery at Chilean ports without surrender of the original bill of lading. As a result, ocean carriers are now directly involved in cargo delivery procedures, both in practice and from a legal point of view, for the first time.
Maritime Privileges on Cargo
Chile | 25 May 2005The maritime privileges on cargo are regulated by the Commercial Code. Although there is no statutory definition of 'privileges on cargo', such privileges are preferred and preclude the enforcement of any other privileges set out by the law if these apply to the same goods or rights.
