WINSON OIL TRADING PTE. LTD. v UNITED OVERSEAS BANK LIMITED

[2025] SGCA 42 Court of Appeal 5 September 2025 • CA/CA 70/2024|CA/CA 69/2024 • 46 min read

6 cases cited (3 SG, 3 foreign)

Catchwords

Contract — Remedies — Damages — Causation Damages — Measure of damages — Contract — Damages for misdelivery of cargo Admiralty and Shipping — Bills of lading — Delivery of cargo against presentation of bills of lading

Practice Areas

Contract Damages Admiralty and Shipping

Judges (3)

Ang Cheng Hock Coram Steven Chong Delivered Sundaresh Menon Coram

Counsel (24)

Allen & Gledhill LLP Firm Focus Law Asia LLC Firm Helmsman LLC Firm Kenneth Tan Partnership Firm LVM Law Chambers LLC Firm Oon & Bazul LLP Firm Bazul Ashhab bin Abdul Kader Counsel Appellant C Sivah Counsel Respondent Chen Zhida Counsel Respondent Christine Chiam Counsel Appellant KarLuis Quek Counsel Respondent Khoo Ching Shin Shem Counsel Appellant Liang Junhong Daniel Counsel Respondent Lok Vi Ming Counsel Respondent Low Yan Feng Counsel Respondent Lua Jing Ing Priscilla Counsel Appellant Mohammad Haireez bin Mohameed Jufferie Counsel Respondent Prakaash s/o Paniar Silvam Counsel Appellant Song Swee Lian Corina Mrs Corina Song Jeremiah Counsel Respondent Tan Wee Kheng Kenneth Michael Counsel Appellant Tan Yu Hang Counsel Appellant Teo Jia Hui Veronica Counsel Appellant Teo Ke-Wei Ian Counsel Respondent Thomas Benjamin Lawrence Counsel Respondent

Parties (3)

Owner of the vessel "MAERSK KATALIN" Appellant United Overseas Bank Limited Respondent Winson Oil Trading Pte Ltd Appellant

Case Significance

[2025] SGCA 42 is a Court of Appeal decision dated 5 September 2025 concerning Admiralty and Shipping, Contract, and Damages, specifically addressing remedies, measure of damages, and bills of lading. The judgment was delivered by Steven Chong, with Ang Cheng Hock and Sundaresh Menon on the coram. The case was brought by Owner of the vessel "MAERSK KATALIN" and others (appellant) against United Overseas Bank Limited (respondent). Legal representation was provided by Focus Law Asia LLC and Allen & Gledhill LLP. The judgment cites 6 cases (3 Singapore, 3 foreign) and references 1 statutory provision, namely the UK COGSA and the Bills of Lading Act.

Summary

United Overseas Bank, as indorsee of original bills of lading, sued Winson Oil Trading and vessel owner Maersk for misdelivery of a cargo of gasoil to Hin Leong Trading without presentation of the bills of lading. The central issues were Maersk's liability for breach of the contracts of carriage and the measure of damages, with the appellants arguing UOB knew the cargo had been discharged before issuing its letter of credit. The Court of Appeal upheld the finding of liability and damages of US$39,372,300, awarding costs of S$200,000 to UOB.

What was decided in [2025] SGCA 42?

[2025] SGCA 42 (WINSON OIL TRADING PTE. LTD. v UNITED OVERSEAS BANK LIMITED) is a Court of Appeal decision from 5 September 2025 addressing Admiralty and Shipping, Contract, and Damages, specifically remedies, measure of damages, and bills of lading. The judgment was delivered by Steven Chong.

Who were the parties in WINSON OIL TRADING PTE. LTD. v UNITED OVERSEAS BANK LIMITED?

The appellant in [2025] SGCA 42 was Owner of the vessel "MAERSK KATALIN", Winson Oil Trading Pte Ltd, and the respondent was United Overseas Bank Limited. Legal representation included Allen & Gledhill LLP and Focus Law Asia LLC. The case was decided on 5 September 2025 in the Court of Appeal.

Which judge decided [2025] SGCA 42?

[2025] SGCA 42 was delivered by Steven Chong in the Court of Appeal on 5 September 2025. Ang Cheng Hock and Sundaresh Menon also sat on the coram. The case concerned Admiralty and Shipping, Contract, and Damages.

What cases and statutes does [2025] SGCA 42 cite?

[2025] SGCA 42 cites 6 prior decisions, including 3 from foreign jurisdictions. It references UK COGSA and the Bills of Lading Act.

Statutes Cited

UK COGSA and the Bills of Lading Act (Cap 384)

Cases Cited (6)

SG (1)

[2024] SGHC 282

SLR (2)

[2003] 1 SLR(R) 295 [2025] 1 SLR 1146

UK (3)

[2005] EWHC 2350 [2010] EWHC 374 [2013] EWHC 3720

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official Singapore Courts portal.

Read on eLitigation

Source: eLitigation ([2025] SGCA 42)