Atlantic & Gulf Stevedores, Inc., Cross-Appellant v. Revelle Shipping Agency, Inc., Cross-Appellee

W. EUGENE DAVIS, Circuit Judge:

The district court rendered judgment against defendant, Revelle Shipping Agency, Inc. (Revelle), on grounds that defendant, as agent, was responsible for its principal’s obligation. We disagree and reverse.

I

Revelle acts as a maritime general agent for vessel owners and operators at the Port of New Orleans. In 1980, Revelle began acting as local agent for Clover Trading Company (Clover), a Danish vessel owner and operator. Revelle’s agency agreement provided that it would receive its instructions from Nassau Navigation, Inc. (Nassau), Clover’s general United…