Agrico Chemical Company and Continental Insurance Company v. S/s Atlantic Forest, Eurogulf Lines, Inc., D/B/A Central Gulf Contramar Line

The defendant appeals the district court judgment holding it liable for losses to the plaintiff due to short and damaged cargo. We affirm the judgment of the district court.

The defendant Central Gulf had contracted to carry a load of urea from Rotterdam, Holland to New Orleans, Louisiana for the plaintiff, Agrico Chemical Company. The parties agreed upon an optional mode bill of lading, which permitted the carrier to elect between carriage by the LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship) system of transportation and carriage on general ships. Central Gulf opted for the LASH system and loaded the urea aboard…