Applicability: Shipowners and Charterers
The situation
Following the outbreak of the Ebola virus, the shipping world is facing a significant challenge with potentially dramatic implications for Shipowners involved in trade to and from Western Africa. The legal implications may vary from case to case depending on the underlying contract, and more specific advice should be sought. Owners may find likely anticipated scenarios and the implications under English law as below.
Possible scenarios and implications
Scenario 1: The vessel refuses to enter a port that is allegedly Ebola infected either due to the owners or the crew
Here the principle of safety of ports may apply. A port will probably not be safe if it exposes the crew to an imminent risk of contraction of the Ebola virus that cannot be avoided by taking appropriate measures. This is rather a question of facts than of law and medical advice should be sought. For this first scenario we will imply that the port is indeed unsafe.
See attached file: ALCO20140042 Ebola virus: Charter and bill of lading issues arising from the outbreak.pdf
埃博拉病毒暴发所引起的租约和提单问题
本通函适用于：船东和租家
背景介绍
继埃博拉病毒持续暴发，对于所有往来于西非的船东产生了潜在巨大影响，航运业正面对严峻挑战。就有关合同的条款，每个案子所涉及的法律问题不尽相同，因此应当征求更具体的建议。在下文中，我们列举了几种船东可能会遇到的情景，以及英国法下所涉及的问题。
假设情景和所涉及法律问题
情景一：由于船东或者船员的原因，船舶拒绝进入声称受埃博拉病毒感染的港口
该问题可以适用安全港原则。如果某一港口使船员即将面临感染埃博拉病毒风险而又不能通过采取适当的措施避免的话，那么该港口将被视为不安全。港口是否安全，这是一个事实问题而不是法律问题，应该寻求医学意见。在这一个假设情景中，我们设定，港口确实是不安全的。
详细信息请参阅附件。
