This circular from Nordisk, a mutual freight, demurrage and defence (FD&D) club, provides insights into the following questions:

1) Are ports in affected countries “safe ports”?

2) Can owners refuse to proceed on the basis that the Vessel will be subject to quarantine?

3) Indemnity Claims – Can owners claim an indemnity for complying with charterers’ orders and calling at an affected port?

4)  When is the vessel off-hire?

5)  Laytime and demurrage regimes – is time going to count?

6)  Is this a force majeure event?

7)  Frustration

8)  COVID-19 clauses

Click HERE to access the circular.