12.12.2024

New Conditions for the UK Standard Conditions for Towage and Other Services

In November 2024 a new edition of the UK Standard Conditions for Towage and Other Services (the UKSCT 2024) was issued by the British Tugowners Association.

The UK Standard Conditions for Towage are commonly used throughout the world and in New Zealand – ports in New Zealand reference the UKSCT 1986 in their standard conditions of business.

This new edition modernises UKSCT 1986 to reflect current industry practice and legal developments.   In particular, the British Tugowners Association wanted to emphasise that towage places tugs in hazardous environments, especially under the orders of third parties, whether a ship’s master or a pilot.

The following is a summary of the changes:

Clause 1: Definitions

  • Simplifies and clarifies the definition of “whilst Towing” by considering how Towing begins and ends: Towing starts when the Tug is in a position to commence Towing (clause 1(b)(i)); and Towing ends when the Tug has ceased Towing and is safely clear.
  • The start and end points are significant as they link to when the indemnity provisions apply (clause 4).

Clause 2:  Joint and several application

  • Clarifies if a Hirer (defined in clause 1(b)(v)), usually the tow owner, arranges Towage services and a Vessel accepts those services, the UKSCT binds the Vessel owner.
  • This clause makes it difficult for the Vessel owner to deny that UKSCT 2024 terms apply to them.

Clause 3: The Tug is the servant of the tow

  • Holds the Hirer liable for any act or omission of the crew of the Tug and any others the Tugowner (defined in clause 1(b)(vi)) engages.
  • The updated conditions clarify that the Hirer’s liability excludes any act or omission committed intentionally or recklessly to cause harm by anyone deemed a servant of the Hirer.

Clause 4: Liability and indemnity

  • The liability regime has been simplified, the language has been modernised, and exceptions have been clarified.

Clause 5: Substitution and agency

  • If a Tugowner engages another Tugowner to provide services, the first Tugowner has no liability to the Hirer for the work (clause 5(c)).

Clause 7: Force majeure and delay

  • Clause 7(a) expands the list of force majeure events to align with modern commercial practice. The list of exclusions to the Tugowner’s liability now includes cyber threats such as computer malware, and the impacts of piracy and disease, among others.

Clause 8: Himalaya Clause

  • Divided into subclauses (a) and (b). Under subclause (a), the Hirer undertakes not to bring actions against any servant or agent of the Tugowner.  Subclause (b) is a modern Himalaya clause; the Tugowner’s servants and agents benefit from the Tugowner’s defences, limitations of liability and any indemnities in its favour.

Clause 9: Governing law and jurisdiction:

  • Updated to allow parties the right to agree on their governing law and jurisdiction, albeit with English law as the default option.

If you have any questions about the UKSCT 2024, please get in touch with our Trade & Transport Team or your usual contact at Hesketh Henry.

Simon gratefully acknowledges Marwan Bashir (summer clerk) as co-author of this article.

Disclaimer:  The information contained in this article is current at the date of publishing and is of a general nature.  It should be used as a guide only and not as a substitute for obtaining legal advice.  Specific legal advice should be sought where required.

Do you need expert legal advice?
Contact the expert team at Hesketh Henry.
Kerry
Media contact - Kerry Browne
Please contact Kerry with any media enquiries and with any questions related to marketing or sponsorships on +64 9 375 8747 or via email.

Related Articles / Insights & Opinion

Supreme Court Defines the Scope of Duty and Damages in Professional Negligence: Routhan v PGG Wrightson Real Estate Ltd [2025] NZSC 68
In a significant judgment with implications for professionals who provide advice or information, the Supreme Court of New Zealand in Routhan v PGG Wrightson Real Estate Ltd [2025] NZSC 68 has clarifie...
15.07.2025 Posted in Disputes
construction meeting e
Referring to Other Documents and When to Bring Proceedings: The High Court Provides Useful Guidance in Issuing and Relying on Payment Schedules
The High Court has provided useful guidance for contractors in issuing and assessing payment schedules under the Construction Contracts Act 2002 (CCA) in its recent decisions in Chillex Services Ltd v...
10.07.2025 Posted in Construction
Rewriting the Risk: Lessons from John Sisk & Son Ltd v Capital & Centric (Rose) Ltd [2025] EWHC 594 (TCC)
A recent decision by the English High Court, John Sisk & Son Ltd v Capital & Centric (Rose) Ltd [2025] EWHC 594 (TCC), considered the interpretation of a risk allocation provision under a besp...
09.07.2025 Posted in Construction & Disputes
Can Contractors Terminate for Repeated Late Payment? Key Lessons from Providence v Hexagon
The decision of the English Court of Appeal in Providence Building Services Ltd v Hexagon Housing Association Ltd [2024] EWCA Civ 962 provides important guidance on a contractor’s termination right...
09.07.2025 Posted in Construction & Disputes
Property
Make Your Premises Good Again
With all the time, effort and cost that goes into taking on a new lease of commercial premises, what happens when it comes time to move on can seem unimportant. It is not surprising, then that make-go...
25.06.2025 Posted in Property
Flooded car
Flooding due to overland flow paths and damaged drainage
Persistent heavy rainfall across the country often results in damage to property due to flooding caused by overland flow paths and defective drainage.  But who is responsible for the cost of the dama...
17.06.2025 Posted in Climate Change & Property
Understanding Indirect Privacy Notification: What you need to know
The Privacy Amendment Bill (the Bill), if passed into law, will require agencies to notify individuals when their personal information is collected from a source other than the individual themselves, ...
16.06.2025 Posted in Corporate & Commercial & Employment
SEND AN ENQUIRY
Send us an enquiry

For expert legal advice, please complete the form below or call us on (09) 375 8700.