ENG    CHN    UK Defence Club Circular – Pre-fixtures Enquiries

While entering a charter party with a non-familiar party, especially in a long term time charter, it is of great necessity to conduct sufficient pre-fixture enquiries. Please refer to the No. 2012/02 Circular issued by UK Club, which points out that pre-fixture enquiries will be considered for the extent of the club’s support to their members.

The captioned issue would be significant for a FDD claim. Members will be asked to prove they have prudently made the enquiries in good faith; otherwise it may prejudice the club’s decision to support a defense claim. After all, such pre-fixture enquiries are for members’ own interests. However, above description of the required pre-fixture enquiries seems too general and we hereby provide suggestions as follows:

1. Pre-fixture enquiries conducted through verbal conversations should be put in writing to confirm the advice or information.
2. If the potential charterer is not familiar to your good company, it would be better to achieve reference from the owners who has previously fixed with this particular potential charterer. Your brokers could assist in this matter.
3. In addition to pre-fixture enquiries through social connections, other reputable organizations may offer more reliable information and even company search to ensure that the conditions of the potential charterers satisfy the fixture.

In regard to what kind of information your good company should pay attention to in the enquiries, please kindly be advised as below:

1. Past and current performance and claim history of the potential charterers.
2. Financial and asset base of the potential charterers and the way of holding the assets.
3. Profile and experience of the potential charterers’ principals and shareholders.
4. If the potential charterers belong to complex or predominantly offshore registered groups, it is of importance to make sure which is the exact party to become your charterer.

Please be kindly reminded that the above lists shall not be considered as all conclusive. Even if a charterer is acquainted to your good company, it is still necessary for a conduction of pre-fixture enquiries. The financial status of a potential charterer, which could be obtained by such enquiries, is the key factor to consider whether a member’s conduct is reasonable.

See attached file : ALCO20120052 Pre-Fixture Enquiries.pdf ;UK Defence Club Circular – Pre-fixtures Enquiries.pdf

订约前调查

在 UK Club 的 2012/02 号通函中，协会明确指出了订约前的调查将会作为协会对会员支持程度的考量之一。

函中所指的订约前调查，对会员抗辩险下的权益十分重要。UK Club 将要求他们的会员举证在签订租船合同前已对有关的合同方诚实谨慎地进行调查；也作为影响协会是否支持其会员进行诉讼要求的决定因素。毕竟，这样的订约前调查是为了会员自身的利益。但是，以上对于所要求的订约前调查的描述似乎太过笼统，我司在此提供如下具体建议：

1. 通过口头对话进行的订约前查询，必须以书面信息来进行确认。
2. 如果潜在租家对贵司来说并不熟悉，那么最好要向与该潜在租家有过订约的船东进行询问获得参考。您的经纪人可以对该事项提供帮助。
3. 除了通过人脉进行的订约前调查之外，其他名誉佳的组织可能提供更可靠的信息、甚至是企业资料查询，来确保潜在租家的条件符合订约要求。

关于贵司需要在调查中注意何种信息，我司谨建议如下：

1. 潜在租家过去及当前的业绩及被索赔的记录。
2. 潜在租家的资产基础，及以何种方式持有资产。
3. 潜在租家的主管、行政人员及股东的简介及经历。
4. 如果潜在租家公司有着复杂结构或者主要是境外注册的集团，那么确定哪一个才是真正的租家就显得很重要。

请注意上述两个建议谨供参考之用，并不能认为已包括全部的所需资料。通过进一步向协会的查询，协会更表示即使一个租家是贵司十分熟悉的公司，仍有必要进行订约前的调查。通过这样的调查得到的潜在租家的财政状况，是考虑会员行为是否合理时的关键因素。毕竟当与不熟悉的一方签订租约，尤其是长期的期租时，只有透过进行订约前的调查方能”知己知彼” 。

以上由 ANDREW LIU & CO.,LTD 编译，应以英文为准！

详细信息请参阅附件。