Deadline looms for Napoli claims

NOVEMBER 30 is deadline date for all claims against a fund lodged by the owners of the MSC Napoli which went aground in January this year en route to South Africa. In a statement to its customers MSC explains that the owners of the vessel have instituted English limitation proceedings and have lodged a fund amounting to £14 710 000 which is available to pay all liabilities of the owners and also of MSC, whether under the MSC bills of lading and waybills or otherwise. “However, in order to benefit from the fund, it is necessary for cargo owners and other claimants to comply with the timetable set out in the court order dated July 31.” The terms of the order were widely publicised. “Any of MSC’s customers who require legal clarification should contact the owner’s UKbased lawyers, Holman Fenwick & Willan, as soon as possible," MSC advises. The owners of MSC Napoli are unconnected to MSC, which time-chartered the vessel.