No. 14 2016/2017 - General Average - York Antwerp Rules 2016

Dear Sirs, 

General Average - “York Antwerp Rules (YAR) 2016” adopted by the Comité Maritime International (CMI) 

Following four years of consultation and an extensive review by a CMI International Working Group (“IWG”), the YAR 2016 were adopted by the CMI Assembly at its conference in New York in early May. 

The adoption of the YAR 2016 brings to an end 12 years of uncertainty, for shipowners and marine insurers, which followed the adoption of the YAR 2004, which did not have the support of shipowners, and which were very rarely used in preference to the well-established and well understood YAR 1994. The development and finalisation of the YAR 2016 is the product of an extensive review undertaken by the IWG, with input from the International Group, international average adjusting community, National Maritime Law Associations, the International Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO and IUMI amongst others. 

The most contentious areas of the YAR 2004 have been satisfactorily addressed in the YAR 2016, notably in relation to; 

• The treatment for adjusting purposes of salvage remuneration (Rule VI) where, in contrast to the YAR 2004, salvage will remain allowable in General Average, albeit subject to the adjuster’s discretion that any of the criteria identified in Rule VI (b) (i)-(v) are satisfied (in essence, where the inclusion would make a significant financial difference); 
• Expenses (Rule X) at ports of refuge, where the YAR 1994 wording has been retained; 
• Crew wages (Rule XI) at ports of refuge, where the YAR 1994 wording has been retained with some additional clarification in relation to the application of the provisions; 
• The treatment of temporary repairs (Rule XIV), where the YAR 1994 wording permitting the inclusion for adjustment purposes of the cost of temporary repairs carried out at a port of refuge and to enable the safe completion of the common maritime adventure has been retained; 
• The exclusion of low value cargo (Rule XVII), where new provisions have been included to permit the possibility for exclusion from contribution of cargo where the adjuster considers that the cost of including it would be disproportionate to its eventual contribution; and 
• The provisions relating to Commission and Interest (Rules XX and XXI), where the YAR 1994 2% commission on General Average disbursements has been abolished in favour of an agreed interest rate on expenditure, sacrifices and allowances calculated on the 12-month ICE LIBOR rate for the currency in which the adjustment is prepared +4%. 

There are a number of other edits and amendments to the YAR 2004 Rules, but overall the YAR 2016 satisfactorily address the shipowners’ concerns articulated by ICS and BIMCO, and supported by the International Group, which will hopefully encourage widespread adoption in shipping contracts. At the BIMCO Documentary Committee meetings in Copenhagen in May it was agreed that BIMCO charterparties and bills of lading should henceforth refer to General Average being adjusted in accordance with the YAR 2016. The ICS Maritime Law Committee has closely followed the proposed changes over the past four years and approved the discussion drafts, and it is anticipated that at its next meeting in September 2016 it will strongly recommend adoption of the YAR 2016 to its member National Shipowner Associations. 

In addition to the adoption of the YAR 2016, the IWG developed Guidelines relating to General Average which were also approved by the CMI Assembly. The Guidelines are intended to assist in dealing with General Average cases and provide background information on the basic principles, guidance as to recognised best practice and an outline of General Average adjusting procedures. The Guidelines do not form part of the YAR, are not binding, and are not intended to override or to alter the provisions of the YAR themselves. It is intended that the Guidelines will be a living document and will be periodically updated under the supervision of a standing review committee. 

Copies of the text of the YAR 2016 and the Guidelines can be viewed via this link. 

The Group Clubs welcome and support the adoption of the YAR 2016 and recommend the incorporation of the YAR 2016 in Members’ future shipping contracts. Such incorporation will not affect Members’ Club cover. 

All Clubs in the International Group have issued a similar circular. 

Yours faithfully
For:    West of England Insurance Services (Luxembourg) S.A.
          (As Managers) 

A Paulson
Director