829 F.2d 293 | 2d Cir. | 1987
These appeals are from a final judgment filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on April 28, 1986, following a bench trial before Judge Robert L. Carter. The judgment (1) awarded plaintiff-appellee The Ingersoll Milling Machine Co. (“Ingersoll”) damages and prejudgment interest against defendants-appellants Taiwan International Line Ltd. (“Taiwan”), J.E. Bernard & Co. (“Bernard”), and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. (“Fireman’s Fund” or the “Fund”) jointly and severally, (2) awarded Ingersoll attorney’s fees and litigation expenses against Fireman’s Fund, (3) awarded Fireman’s Fund a right of subrogation against Taiwan and Bernard, and (4) dismissed claims of Taiwan and Bernard against each other.
Ingersoll cross-appeals seeking to increase its award of damages and prejudgment interest.
Appellants each raise a number of issues on appeal. We consider them seriatim, and we affirm the determinations of the district court except with regard to the award of attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.
BACKGROUND
This case arises from the shipment of certain cargo from the United States to South Korea. The cargo, which was insured, and consisted of 20 packages, 18 of which were stowed on the deck of the ship, was damaged in transit. Simply stated, we must determine whether the district court properly decided who is responsible for the damage and that the insurer improperly refused to cover the loss. We set forth the essential evidence in this section, as found by the district court, 619 F.Supp. 493 (S.D. N.Y.1985), with details to be provided later as necessary.
In January 1978, Waldrich Siegen, GmbH (“Waldrich”) of West Germany contracted to sell heavy, specially designed machines to Hyundai International, Inc., in Korea. Waldrich engaged its affiliate, Ingersoll, a manufacturer of special design machinery, as a subcontractor to manufacture Shop Order 24441 (“Order #24441”) and to arrange for its shipment to Korea. Order # 24441 consisted of a ram type, horizontal spindle, traveling column machinery center, and was valued in excess of $2 million.
In the summer of 1979, Ingersoll, located in Rockford, Illinois, contacted Gryphon Shipping Service, Inc. (“Gryphon”), a broker and steamship agent in Chicago, to arrange for shipment of Order # 24441 to
In connection with the shipment, Ingersoll also retained Bernard, a freight forwarder doing business in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, to perform various freight forwarding tasks. In addition to other duties to be performed by Bernard, Ingersoll, by letter dated September 10, 1979, requested that Bernard secure “three originals and four copies of clean on-board bills of lading” (emphasis added). In response to this letter, Bernard prepared two master ditto forms of the bill of lading and also the shipper’s export declaration. One of the master ditto forms was sent to Mid-Gulf Shipping, Inc. (“Mid-Gulf”), Taiwan’s agent in New Orleans, to be used in the preparation of the original bills of lading; the other was sent to Gryphon. In addition, the master ditto was used to prepare an advance notice of shipment which was sent by Bernard to Ingersoll on September 25, 1979. Neither the master ditto nor the advance notice contained any notation as to stowage. Ingersoll informed Bernard that all the information on the advance notice was correct except that the port of discharge should be changed.
The Ingersoll cargo, which had arrived in New Orleans from Illinois by truck and rail, was loaded on board the M/V Bodena on September 26 and 27, 1979. Of the twenty boxes which comprised Order # 24441, eighteen were initially stowed on deck and two were stowed below deck. Mid-Gulf, Taiwan’s agent, was responsible for the issuance of bills of lading. Prior to sailing, Mid-Gulf took the ditto form supplied by Bernard and added the phrase “on deck shipper’s risk” to its face. Mid-Gulf then used the altered ditto to run off three original bills of lading and mailed the originals with thirteen copies to Gryphon in Chicago.
Ingersoll received the originals and four copies on October 1, 1979. Fred Woywod, Ingersoll’s contract administrator, saw the documents that day but either did not notice the addition of the words “on deck shipper’s risk” or if he did notice them, did not understand their legal significance. Bernard, too, received copies of the bills of lading on October 1 but failed to examine the issued bills to determine whether they were in fact clean, and, consequently, failed to inform Ingersoll that Taiwan had not followed the instructions to issue clean bills of lading.
The M/V Bodena, which had made several intermediate stops at various East Coast ports, set sail from Savannah, Georgia, for Korea on October 14,1979. At the time of sailing, seventeen of Ingersoll’s boxes were stowed on deck, one of the boxes initially stowed on deck having been moved below deck. The voyage to Korea lasted more than one month and was beset with storms, heavy seas, and high winds. As a result of heavy rolling and pitching during the voyage, the seventeen boxes on the deck were severely damaged. Some boxes were broken; others were thoroughly soaked by sea water. Because of the damage, Order #24441 had to be sent from Korea to Waldrich in Germany for repair. None of the three boxes stowed under deck was damaged.
Ingersoll maintained an all risk insurance policy with Fireman’s Fund. That policy had been issued as an open cargo policy, designed to cover all of Ingersoll’s shipments. In other words, a particular shipment would become covered under the poli
The particular policy in question contained separate clauses for insuring under deck shipments and on deck shipments.
In August 1979, Ingersoll sent to Fireman’s Fund a certificate of insurance to cover Order # 24441. The certificate, which took effect before the boxes were actually loaded aboard the M/V Bodena, stated that the machinery was laden under deck. When Ingersoll learned of the damage to the cargo in December 1979, it notified Fireman’s Fund of its loss. After an investigation, Fireman’s Fund, on May 23, 1980, denied Ingersoll’s claim under its policy for full indemnity for the repairs undertaken by Ingersoll.
The district court found that Taiwan and Bernard were jointly and severally liable for Ingersoll’s damages, and accordingly, awarded Ingersoll $977,899 plus prejudgment interest. Fireman’s Fund too was found jointly and severally liable to Ingersoll in the same amount under the insurance policy; and it was ordered that to the extent that Fireman’s Fund makes payment to Ingersoll for damages assessed, it will be entitled to recover such payment from Taiwan and Bernard, including taxable costs but not including attorney’s fees and litigation expenses. Additionally, the district judge ruled that Ingersoll was enti
DISCUSSION
I. TAIWAN
Ingersoll’s claim against Taiwan can be characterized simply as a claim for breach of contract. There is no dispute that a contract of carriage existed between Ingersoll and Taiwan. Telephone conversations in August 1979 between representatives of Ingersoll, Gryphon, and Taiwan, in which the cargo was booked, led to a binding contract when Ingersoll informed Gryphon that it accepted Taiwan’s terms. As the district court found, this contract constituted the contract of carriage. The open question then was what were the terms of the contract. More specifically, did the contract call for on deck or below deck stowage.
Absent an express agreement by the shipper permitting cargo to be stowed on deck or a general port custom permitting on deck stowage, a shipper is entitled to expect below deck stowage under a clean bill of lading. St. Johns N.F. Shipping Corp. v. S.A. Companhia Geral Commercial Do Rio De Janeiro, 263 U.S. 119, 123-24, 44 S.Ct. 30, 30-31, 68 L.Ed. 201 (1923); English Elec. Valve Co. v. M/V Hoegh Mallard, 814 F.2d 84, 89 (2d Cir. 1987); Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. v. S.S. Hong Kong Producer, 422 F.2d 7, 14 & n. 5 (2d Cir.1969), cert, denied, 397 U.S. 964, 90 S.Ct. 998, 25 L.Ed.2d 255 (1970); accord Calmaquip Eng’g West Hemisphere Corp. v. West Coast Carriers Ltd., 650 F.2d 633, 639 (5th Cir. Unit B 1981); see 2A E. Benedict, Benedict on Admiralty § 123, at 12-11 (7th ed. 1987) (“[g]oods stowed on deck without the shipper’s consent are at the ship’s risk, the shipowner being liable for any loss or damage thereto.”) To reiterate, a shipper’s reasonable expectation on booking cargo for shipment is that it will be stowed below deck, unless the shipper agrees to the contrary or a general port custom permits above deck stowage. The burden is on the carrier to prove that the shipper consented to something other than the usual and customary arrangement. See Gemini Navigation, Inc. v. Philipp Bros. Div. of Minerals & Chemicals Philipp Corp., 499 F.2d 745, 751 (2d Cir.1974).
Although the district court found that “[t]here is no evidence that Ingersoll specified below deck stowage,” 619 F.Supp. at 500, it also found that “there is no credible evidence that Ingersoll agreed to an on deck shipment,” id. Thus, the terms of the contract of carriage were established by the industry custom that stowage would be below deck. The district court correctly found that Taiwan had failed to meet its burden of proof that Ingersoll agreed to on deck stowage and that Taiwan was liable for not performing its contract obligations.
Taiwan presents a number of arguments in support of its contention that it is not liable for breach of contract.
The district court did indeed find that Ingersoll had constructive notice that its goods were being carried on the deck of
Ingersoll's contract with Taiwan, as the district court interpreted it, called for under deck stowage. We find no basis in the record upon which to conclude that Ingersoll intentionally relinquished its right to under deck stowage. Ingersoll’s silence after receiving constructive notice of the on deck shipment lacks the requisite manifest intent to constitute a waiver. Ingersoll’s silence and failure to act can better be characterized as an oversight or carelessness rather than as a waiver of a contractual right. The mere fact that Ingersoll can be deemed to have been informed that its machinery was being shipped to Korea on deck does not mean that the conclusion must be drawn that it knowingly consented to a modification of the original contract.
Next, Taiwan contends that Gryphon was Ingersoll’s agent and therefore that Ingersoll was bound by the contracts entered into by Gryphon. Taiwan claims that if Gryphon was aware during booking that Order # 24441 was going to be shipped on deck, Ingersoll would be bound by that knowledge. However, the district court specifically found that Gryphon was Taiwan’s agent.
Taiwan also contends that even if the initial oral contract called for below deck stowage, Ingersoll’s receipt of the bill of lading with the new terms changed the parties’ obligations. As Taiwan would have it, only the bill of lading, even if it contains unauthorized terms, represents the contract of carriage. In other words, Taiwan contends it is solely the bill of lading which governs and determines the proper stowage of the cargo. While it is true that a bill of lading may under certain circumstances constitute the contract of carriage between the parties, see CIA. Platamon de Navegacion, S.A. v. Empresa Colombiana de Petroleos, 478 F.Supp. 66, 67 (S.D.N.Y.1979); see generally 2A Benedict on Admiralty § 34, at 4-13, Taiwan’s argument is not at all persuasive on the evidence in this case. A carrier such as Taiwan may not unilaterally alter a bill of lading so as to bind the shipper without the authorization of the shipper. See West India Indus. v. Tradex, Tradex Petroleum Services, 664 F.2d 946, 949-50 & n. 5 (5th Cir.1981). A carrier cannot impose on deck stowage on a shipper merely by including a notation in the bill of lading which it delivers after the voyage commences. To allow
Finally, Taiwan argues that Ingersoll had the burden of showing that the damage was caused by Taiwan’s negligence and, in any case, that its liability should be limited to $500 per package pursuant to the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (“COGSA”), 46 U.S.C. § 1300 et seq. (1982 & Supp.1983), which the bill of lading incorporated by reference. We reject both of these contentions. First, as shown above, Taiwan’s stowage of Ingersoll’s cargo on deck without Ingersoll’s permission was a breach of the contract of carriage. A showing that Taiwan was negligent by such stowage is not relevant to or necessary for establishing a breach of contract. Second, where, as here, a carrier has materially deviated from the terms of the contract of carriage, monetary limits contained in COGSA and in bills of lading are inapplicable; rather, the carrier is liable in full as an insurer of the cargo. General Elec. Co. Int’l Sales Div. v. S.S. Nancy Lykes, 706 F.2d 80, 87 (2d Cir.), cert, denied, 464 U.S. 849, 104 S.Ct. 157, 78 L.Ed.2d 145 (1983); Calmaquip Eng’g West Hemisphere Corp., 650 F.2d at 638-39; Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 422 F.2d at 18. Therefore, because Ingersoll’s cargo was stowed on deck in breach of the contract of carriage, Ingersoll’s recovery is not contingent upon a showing of negligence, and Taiwan cannot benefit from the limits of liability in the bill of lading or in COGSA.
II. BERNARD
A. Admiralty Jurisdiction
As a preliminary matter, Bernard challenges the district court’s assertion of subject matter jurisdiction. Since there does not appear to be diversity or federal question jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction must reside, if at all, under 28 U.S.C. § 1333, which provides for admiralty or maritime jurisdiction in the federal courts. Bernard, seeking to avoid the application of admiralty jurisdiction, characterizes its contract with Ingersoll as one for preliminary brokerage services only incidentally related to the maritime contract between Ingersoll and Taiwan. The district court, after observing that “[fjederal courts have traditionally exercised admiralty jurisdiction over shipper’s claims against freight forwarders,” 619 F.Supp. at 503, held that the services Bernard performed were not preliminary in nature. While we decline to lay down a general rule that freight forwarders are always subject to admiralty jurisdiction, we, do hold, for reasons discussed below, that in this instance, Bernard’s freight forwarding contract with Ingersoll involved enough tasks of a non-preliminary nature to support admiralty jurisdiction.
We have recognized that “[t]he precise categorization of the contracts that warrant invocation of the federal courts’ admiralty jurisdiction has proven particularly elusive.” CTI-Container Leasing Corp. v. Oceanic Operations Corp., 682 F.2d 377, 379 (2d Cir.1982). The Supreme Court has cautioned that “[t]he boundaries of admiralty jurisdiction over contracts — as opposed to torts or crimes — being conceptual rather than spatial, have always been difficult to draw.” Kossick v. United Fruit Co., 365 U.S. 731, 735, 81 S.Ct. 886, 890, 6 L.Ed.2d 56 (1961). A long-recognized principle for determining whether a contract is maritime is that agreements preliminary to maritime contracts are not cognizable in admiralty. Peralta Shipping Corp. v. Smith & Johnson (Shipping) Corp., 739 F.2d 798, 801 (2d Cir.1984), cert, denied, 470 U.S. 1031, 105 S.Ct. 1405, 84 L.Ed.2d 791 (1985); 1 Benedict on Admiralty § 184, at 11-8 (7th ed. 1985). Applying this principle, our Court, despite questioning its continuing validity, has recently affirmed
Bernard argues that freight forwarding contracts fall within the ambit of general agency contracts and are therefore excluded from admiralty consideration. Courts that have specifically dealt with admiralty jurisdiction over freight forwarders appear to have arrived at different conclusions. Compare Outbound Maritime Corp. v. P.T. Indonesian Consortium of Constr. Indus., 575 F.Supp. 1222, 1223-24 (S.D.N.Y.1983) (freight forwarder subject to admiralty jurisdiction) with Johnson Products Co. v. M/V La Molinera, 619 F.Supp. 764, 767 (S.D.N.Y.1985) (freight forwarder not subject to admiralty jurisdiction). However, the focus of our inquiry must be not on the name assigned to the contract, but rather on the nature of the services to be performed. It is the character of the work to be performed under the contract that is determinative of whether the agreement was maritime. Hinkins S.S. Agency, Inc. v. Freighters, Inc., 498 F.2d 411, 412 (9th Cir.1974); see also North Pac. S.S. Co. v. Hill Bros. Marine Ry. & Shipbld. Co., 249 U.S. 119, 125, 39 S.Ct. 221, 222, 63 L.Ed. 510 (1919); James Richardson & Sons v. Conners Marine Co., 141 F.2d 226, 228 (2d Cir.1944). If the subject matter of the contract “ ‘relat[es] to a ship in its use as such, or to commerce or to navigation on navigable waters, or to transportation by sea or to maritime employment’ ” it is fairly said to constitute a maritime contract. CTI-Container Leasing Corp., 682 F.2d at 379 (quoting 1 Benedict on Admiralty § 183, at 11-6 (7th ed. 1981)). Accordingly, we turn to an examination of the services to be performed by Bernard under its contract with Ingersoll.
Of the thirteen services listed by the Federal Maritime Commission which a freight forwarder may perform at the request of a shipper, 46 C.F.R. § 510.2(h), Ingersoll asked Bernard to undertake six. Bernard was obligated to prepare and process export declarations; to prepare and process delivery orders or dock receipts; to prepare and process ocean bills of lading, including the preparation and forwarding of a master ditto; to prepare and send advance notification of shipments or other documents to banks, shippers, or consignees; to handle freight or other monies advanced by the shipper or to remit or advance freight or other monies or credit in connection with the dispatching of shipments; and together with Ingersoll, to coordinate the movement of shipments from origin to vessel.
Although Bernard’s services may not have included all the services a freight forwarder traditionally performs for a shipper, it is not upon the number of services that we focus but rather on their nature. The preparation and processing of export declarations, delivery orders, dock receipts, bills of lading, and advance notification of shipment are not services rendered preliminary to a voyage rather they are essential to it. Without these, there can be no voyage. Specifically, we note that the district court found that Bernard’s obligation with regard to the bills of lading was twofold. First, Bernard was engaged to secure clean on board bills of lading. Additionally, on receipt of the bills of lading, Bernard was to review the copies it received and to advise Ingersoll if in fact they were not clean. 619 F.Supp. at 502. Bernard’s duty to secure clean bills of lading is akin to the issuance of bills of lading themselves. An obligation to procure a bill of lading for an ocean shipment, in our view, is a contract relating to transportation by sea. The procurement of the proper papers and documents relating to a shipment by sea is an essential and integral part of the shipping
Bernard relies heavily on Johnson Products, which held that the forwarding of a bill of lading does not in itself create a maritime contract. We believe that Johnson Products is distinguishable from this case. In that case, the obligation of the freight forwarder was merely to pass along the bill of lading that was issued by the carrier. 619 F.Supp. at 767. Herein, Bernard’s obligation to Ingersoll was to do more than merely transfer documents. Bernard had an affirmative obligation to secure clean bills. Its responsibilities did not begin when the completed bills of lading first arrived on its desk. Bernard was engaged to ensure that Ingersoll’s cargo would be properly loaded on board the M/V Bodena so that the proper bills of lading would be issued. Thus, having undertaken to arrange for the proper loading of the cargo onto the vessel, as well as other tasks of a nonpreliminary nature, we conclude that Bernard’s contract with Ingersoll can fairly be characterized as a maritime contract supportive of admiralty jurisdiction.
B. Breach of Contract
Bernard’s contract with Ingersoll called for Bernard to perform a number of services typically associated with a general freight forwarder. Bernard’s contention that its duties were more limited in scope than those generally performed by freight forwarders is not pivotal in determining whether Bernard breached its contract with Ingersoll. Our focus must be on the specific obligations involved and whether Bernard satisfactorily performed them. As noted, the district court found that two of the tasks to be performed by Bernard related to the bills of lading. Bernard was bound initially to secure clean on board bills of lading for Ingersoll. Moreover, Bernard was bound to examine the bills of lading once they had been issued by Taiwan and to inform Ingersoll of any imperfections. The district court held that Bernard failed in both respects: it failed in its obligation to procure clean bills, and it failed to examine the copies it received and to advise Ingersoll that in fact they were not clean. 619 F.Supp. at 502. We find no clear error in the district court’s finding that Bernard failed in its primary duty, namely, to supply the clean bills. We therefore find it unnecessary to reach the secondary question, whether Bernard also failed to review the bills for imperfections.
1. “Clean” on Board Bills of Lading
Bernard contends that the bills of lading that it supplied were in fact clean. According to Bernard, the notation of the words “on deck shipper’s risk” did not render the bills unclean. In Bernard’s view, a “clean” bill of lading requires only that the shipping document bear no notation on its face that expressly declares a defective condition of the goods. In other words, it contends, a “clean” bill of lading indicates that the goods were not received by the carrier in damaged condition at the time of shipment. The phrase “on deck shipper’s risk,” Bernard argues, is a clause which does not describe the physical condition of the goods at the time of receipt by the carrier, but rather relates instead to who bears the risk during voyage. So interpreted, a notation declaring that the shipper bears the risk of damage during the voyage would not affect the cleanliness of the bills. We disagree with Bernard’s interpretation.
It is no doubt true, as Bernard claims, that a “clean” bill of lading refers to the undamaged condition of the cargo at the time it is received by the carrier. Vana Trading Co. v. S.S. “Mette Skou” 556 F.2d 100, 103 n. 4 (2d Cir.), cert, denied, 434 U.S. 892, 98 S.Ct. 267, 54 L.Ed.2d 177 (1977); C. Gilmore & C. Black, The Law of Admiralty § 3-13, at 122 (2d ed. 1975). However, a “clean” bill of lading refers to more than just the condition of the goods. It has long been recognized in admiralty custom and practice that a “clean” bill of lading refers also to the place on a ship where cargo is to be
Ingersoll’s instruction to Bernard in its letter of September 10, 1979, was to provide “clean” on board bills of lading. Bernard, therefore, was duty bound to supply bills that noted or implied that stowage was below deck. Contrary to Ingersoll’s instruction, the bills actually provided by Bernard contained a notation indicating that the goods had been stowed on deck. Thus, Bernard plainly breached its contract with Ingersoll.
2. Causation
Bernard also contends that even if it failed to supply “clean” bills of lading to Ingersoll, its breach of contract was not causally connected to the damage to Order # 24441. Essentially, Bernard argues that even if it had reviewed the bills and found the notation, the damage to the cargo would still have occurred. By the time the notation was detected, the cargo was already on deck and at sea. Therefore, according to Bernard, its failure to advise Ingersoll that the bills bore the clause “on deck” did not cause or contribute to the damage.
Bernard’s contention might have some merit were its only contractual duty to review the bills after they had been issued. In such case, given that Bernard received the documents on October 1 and that the M/V Bodena did not actually leave the United States bound for Korea until October 14, the feasibility of unloading the cargo at another U.S. port prior to sailing would be a crucial issue. The district court did not decide whether unloading was a viable option because of a dearth of evidence. 619 F.Supp. at 502. However, the question of whether the cargo could have somehow been saved between October 1 and October 14 is not determinative of Bernard’s liability. Bernard’s contractual obligation was not only to review the bills of lading for defects but also to secure clean bills in the first instance. Having failed to ensure that the cargo was placed below deck, thereby breaching its contract by causing a bill that was not “clean” to be issued, Bernard can be said to have proximately caused Ingersoll’s damages.
We reject Bernard’s contention that all it was obligated to do was to transmit faithfully to Taiwan IngersolPs request for “clean” bills of lading, and once having relayed those instructions, to transfer the issued documents upon receipt to Ingersoll.
III. CROSS-CLAIMS OF TAIWAN AND BERNARD
The district court properly dismissed the claims asserted by Taiwan and Bernard for indemnity against each other. Indemnity rests upon the principle that the true wrongdoer should bear the ultimate burden of payment. Ross v. Penn Cent. Transp. Co., 433 F.Supp. 306, 309 (W.D. N.Y.1977). There can be no indemnity as between parties that each bear primary responsibility for a wrong regardless of their relative degrees of fault. Philadelphia Elec. Co. v. Hercules, Inc., 762 F.2d 303, 318 (3d Cir.), cert, denied, 474 U.S. 980, 106 S.Ct. 384, 88 L.Ed.2d 337 (1985). Having concluded that Taiwan and Bernard each breached their separate contracts with Ingersoll, the district court properly held them jointly and severally liable and dismissed their respective claims for indemnity.
IV. FIREMAN’S FUND
A. Liability on the Policy
Fireman’s Fund contends that the district court erred in finding that Ingersoll’s policy covered the damage sustained by Order #24441. Essentially, the Fund contends on appeal that clause 17(b) of the policy, which denies coverage for partial loss of on deck shipments, should apply to deny coverage because part of Ingersoll’s cargo was actually stowed on deck. We disagree. As we discuss below, the district court was justified in finding the policy ambiguous, construing it against Fireman’s Fund, and applying clause 17(a) of the policy, which covers all risks of loss in cases of under deck shipments.
Ingersoll’s policy with Fireman’s Fund was an open cargo policy. Such a policy is a master policy which covers all of an insured’s shipments. An insured declares a particular shipment either by sending the Fund a copy of an insurance certificate or a monthly declaration of shipments. One of the advantages of this type of policy is that an insured has automatic coverage for a shipment even if it neglects to declare the shipment, or if the certificate is not issued until the cargo has arrived and a loss has already occurred. Under the subject policy, different types of shipments were accorded different types of coverage. Certain shipments were insured on an all risk basis (clause 17(a)), that is, against all risks of physical loss or damage from any external cause; other types of shipments were insured free of particular average (clause 17(b)), that is, partial losses were not covered; still others were subject to monetary limits (clause 8(B)(2)).
In August 1979, before shipping Order # 24441, Ingersoll sent Fireman’s Fund an insurance certificate to declare and insure the machine. The certificate stated that the goods were stowed under deck and were insured against all risks. The certificate became effective on August 31, 1979. In fact, the bulk of the shipment was stowed on deck and the bill of lading was marked “on deck shipper’s risk” without Ingersoll’s consent. Ingersoll notified Fireman’s Fund of the damage to the cargo in December 1979. The Fund denied Ingersoll’s claim by letter dated May 23, 1980.
Marine insurance contracts are governed by federal admiralty law when there is an established federal rule, and by state law when there is not. Wilburn Boat Co. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co., 348 U.S. 310, 313-14, 75 S.Ct. 368, 370-71, 99
The starting point in interpreting an insurance policy is to determine whether the policy terms are ambiguous. As a general rule, plain or unambiguous language will be given its ordinary meaning and effect, and the need to resort to rules of construction arises only when an ambiguity exists. National Fidelity Life Ins. Co. v. Karaganis, 811 F.2d 357, 361 (7th Cir.1987); Chicago Bd. Options Exch., Inc. v. Connecticut Gen. Life Ins. Co., 713 F.2d 254, 257-58 (7th Cir.1983). Courts may not create an ambiguity where none exists. Simmons Refining Co. v. Royal-Globe Ins. Co., 543 F.2d 1195, 1197 (7th Cir.1976); State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Berke, 123 Ill.App.2d 455, 258 N.E.2d 838, 841 (1970). If an insurance contract is ambiguous it will generally be construed against the insurer who drafted it in order to promote coverage for losses to which the policy relates. Karaganis, 811 F.2d at 361; FSC Paper Corp. v. Sun Ins. Co. of N.Y., 744 F.2d 1279, 1282 (7th Cir.1984). This principle applies to all types of insurance policies including maritime policies. Kalmbach, Inc. v. Insurance Co. of Pa;, 529 F.2d 552, 555 (9th Cir.1976) (citing Illinois cases). The rule that insurance policies are to be construed in favor of the insured is most rigorously applied in construing the meaning of exclusions incorporated into a policy of insurance or provisions seeking to narrow the insurer’s liability. Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Reliance Ins. Co., 654 F.2d 494, 499 (7th Cir.1981). Accordingly, we turn first to the question of whether Ingersoll’s policy is ambiguous.
Fireman’s Fund’s argument that the policy provisions are unambiguous has surface appeal. Clause 17(a) is encaptioned “UNDER DECK shipments” and clause 17(b) is encaptioned “ON DECK shipments.” At first glance, these captions would seem to indicate that it is the actual, physical place of stowage which governs the applicability of the clauses. Cargo actually stowed under deck would be governed by clause 17(a), and cargo actually stowed on deck would fall within clause 17(b). However, a closer, more careful reading of the policy reveals that the provisions at issue are in fact ambiguous.
Looking at the insurance contract as a whole, as we must, Michigan Chem. Corp. v. American Home Assurance Co., 728 F.2d 374, 377 (6th Cir.1984) (applying Illinois law), we find clauses 17(a) and 17(b) subject to varying interpretations. A contract that is reasonably and fairly susceptible of more than one meaning is said to be ambiguous. Karaganis, 811 F.2d at 361; Sunstream Jet Express, Inc. v. International Air Serv. Co., 734 F.2d 1258, 1269 (7th Cir.1984). Neither clause 17(a) or 17(b) makes reference on its face to the bills of lading or to the contract of carriage under which the shipments were to travel.
Having concluded that the policy terms are ambiguous, we turn next to the construction of those terms. In our view, the district court properly construed the policy in favor of the insured. We think a fair and reasonable interpretation of the policy suggests that “UNDER DECK shipments” of clause 17(a) refers to shipments that were supposed to travel under deck. In other words, when an insured has contracted with its carrier for shipment of cargo below deck, clause 17(a) applies. It is irrelevant whether the cargo actually traveled below deck or whether the cargo was shipped pursuant to an under deck bill of lading, or, as in this case, pursuant to an unauthorized on deck bill of lading. The place of physical stowage or the bill of lading is not determinative of coverage; it is the contract of carriage that governs. As long as the shipper intended the cargo to be stowed below deck and so manifested its intent in its contract of carriage, clause 17(a) applies. Similarly, “ON DECK shipments” of clause 17(b) refers to all shipments that were supposed to travel on deck. In such an instance, a lesser degree of coverage is provided. In those cases, coverage is provided only for a total loss and only when that loss occurs as a result of certain perils. No coverage whatsoever is provided for fortuitious partial losses caused even by an insured-against peril. Furthermore, clause 8(B)(2) would appear to provide an additional limitation on clause 17(b), limiting the maximum possible recovery to $175,000 if the cargo was shipped subject to an on deck bill of lading or stowed on deck with the insured’s consent. Construction of the policy in this manner comports with the logical assumption that an insurance company would provide, and an insured would buy, greater protection for shipments that were supposed to travel under deck than for shipments intended to be placed on deck. Accordingly, applying this construction to the facts herein, we believe it is clear that clause 17(a) is the operative provision. As discussed, Ingersoll’s contract of carriage with Taiwan required under deck stowage. This being so, the provision which relates to shipments that were intended to travel below deck, namely clause 17(a), must govern.
Under clause 17(a), Ingersoll’s loss would have been covered. Clause 17(a) insures against “all risks of physical loss or damage from any external cause.” All risk coverage covers all losses which are fortuitious no matter what caused the loss, including the insured's negligence, unless the insured expressly advises otherwise. Goodman v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co., 600 F.2d 1040, 1042 (4th Cir.1979). A loss is fortuitous unless it results from an inherent defect, ordinary wear and tear, or intentional misconduct of the insured. Id. An insured satisfies its burden of proving that its loss resulted from an insured peril if the cargo was damaged while the policy was in force and the loss was fortuitous. Atlantic Lines Ltd. v. American Motorists Ins. Co., 547 F.2d 11, 12 (2d Cir.1976); accord Morrison Grain Co. v. Utica Mut. Ins. Co., 632 F.2d 424, 430-31 (5th Cir. 1980). The circumstances surrounding the placement of the Ingersoll cargo on deck and the resultant loss can fairly be characterized as fortuitous. It was the carrier that breached the contract of carriage by placing the cargo on deck. Ingersoll certainly did not engage in any intentional misconduct to cause the misplacement of its cargo. Moreover, even if the carrier was negligent in placing the cargo outside the area of the ship’s hold, all risk coverage would still apply.
Construing Ingersoll’s policy as providing full coverage for shipments stowed on deck without the shipper’s consent is consistent with the purpose for which the policy was issued. All risk open cargo policies,
Fireman’s Fund also argues that it should not be held liable under the policy because Ingersoll had a duty to inform the Fund after it learned of the on deck placement of its cargo on October 1, 1979. The Fund contends that had it been so advised, it would have instructed Ingersoll to get the cargo under deck or off the ship before the M/V Bodena sailed for Korea on October 14.
The doctrine of uberrimae fidei requires a party seeking marine insurance to disclose all circumstances known to it which materially affect the risk. Knight v. U.S. Fire Ins. Co., 804 F.2d 9, 13 (2d Cir. 1986), cert, denied, — U.S.-, 107 S.Ct. 1570, 94 L.Ed.2d 762 (1987); Puritan Ins. Co. v. Eagle S.S. Co. S.A., 779 F.2d 866, 870 (2d Cir.1985). If a party omits to disclose material information applicable to the risk involved, the policy is void. Knight, 804 F.2d at 13; Thebes Shipping, Inc. v. Assicurazioni Ausonia SPA, 599 F.Supp. 405, 426 (S.D.N.Y.1984) (quoting McLanahan v. Universal Ins. Co., 26 U.S. (1 Pet.) 170, 185-86, 7 L.Ed. 98 (1828)). However, in our view, the doctrine is not applicable in the instant case. As discussed, clause 17(a) of Fireman’s Fund’s policy provided coverage for shipments traveling pursuant to under deck contracts of carriage. As interpreted hereinabove, Ingersoll’s contract of carriage with Taiwan was one for under deck stowage. The fact that Ingersoll’s cargo was actually stowed on deck, in breach of the contract of carriage, did not change the terms of the contract. Similarly, the fact that Ingersoll had constructive notice as of October 1 of that breach also did not change the terms of the contract of carriage or Ingersoll’s rights thereunder. See section I, supra. Ingersoll’s contract remained one for under deck shipment throughout the voyage. Since there was never any change in Ingersoll’s contract of carriage, there was no change in circumstances affecting the risk insured which Ingersoll might have been required to disclose. The subject open cargo policy does not distinguish between under deck contracts of carriage that are performed and those that are breached. Coverage is provided for all shipments traveling pursuant to under deck contracts of carriage. Consequently, Ingersoll had no duty to inform Fireman’s Fund that its cargo had been stowed on deck in breach of the contract of carriage. Indeed, it was to protect against just such an occurrence that Ingersoll most likely contracted for insurance in the first place.
B. Fireman’s Fund’s Right of Subrogation Against Bernard and Taiwan
The district court properly ordered that to the extent Fireman’s Fund
C. Attorney’s Fees and Litigation Expenses
The district court awarded Ingersoll attorney’s fees ($590,381.96) and litigation expenses ($226,250.96) against Fireman’s Fund for costs it incurred in prosecuting its suit against Fireman’s Fund and the other defendants. Although the district court did not specifically apportion the fees and expenses allocable to the various defendants, it did advance two different theories to support the award. First, Ingersoll’s fees and expenses incurred in suing Bernard, Taiwan, and Excellent Marine were awarded as compensatory damages, to make Ingersoll whole. Second, the fees and expenses incurred in suing the Fund were awarded because of the Fund’s apparent bad faith in denying Ingersoll’s claim.
Apropos the fees and expenses attributable to Ingersoll’s suit against Bernard, Taiwan, and Excellent Marine, those fees were a direct and foreseeable consequence of Fireman’s Fund’s breach. As a result of the refusal of Fireman’s Fund to cover the loss, Ingersoll was forced to sue third parties and to bear the burdens of complex litigation. Where a breach of contract has caused a party to maintain a suit against a third person, courts have permitted recovery from the breaching party of counsel fees and other litigation expenses incurred in the suit. Artvale, Inc. v. Rugby Fabrics Corp., 232 F.Supp. 814, 826 (S.D.N.Y.1964), affd, 363 F.2d 1002 (2d Cir. 1966); accord Ranger Constr. Co. v. Prince William County School Bd., 605 F.2d 1298, 1301 (4th Cir.1979); see Freed v. Travelers, 300 F.2d 395, 399 (7th Cir.1962) (attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation incurred in action against third parties proper elements of damage in action against insurer). Therefore, since Fireman’s Fund’s breach necessitated Ingersoll’s suit against other defendants, the Fund was properly held responsible for Ingersoll’s attorney’s fees and litigation expenses. Fireman’s Fund may not recover those costs from the other defendants, as it argues it should, because in the ordinary course, it could have paid Ingersoll’s claim and then commenced its own litigation against the other defendants as Ingersoll’s subrogee. In such an action, the Fund would have had to bear its own fees and expenses.
Second, apropos the fees and expenses attributable to Ingersoll’s suit against Fireman’s Fund, the general rule is that the award of fees and expenses in admiralty actions is discretionary with the district judge upon a finding of bad faith. Seguros Banvenez, S.A., 761 F.2d at 861-62. As a party subject to admiralty jurisdiction, Big Lift Shipping Co. (Ñ.A.) v. Bellefonte Ins. Co., 594 F.Supp. 701, 704 (S.D.N.Y.1984), marine insurers also are subject to this rule. See Puritan Ins. Co., 779 F.2d at 873. We acknowledge an awareness of the district judge’s dissatisfaction with Fireman’s Fund for refusing to pay Ingersoll’s claim. Judge Carter characterized explanations given by Fireman’s Fund as “contrived, concocted solely to keep from paying” its obligations under the policy. 619 F.Supp. at 506 (emphasis added). Moreover, noting conflicting and inconsistent testimony among Fund officials, he observed that “Fireman’s Fund had conjured up its strained reading of the insurance policy solely in an effort to avoid accepting the liability the policy imposed.” Id. at 507 (emphasis added).
In its final judgment, dated April 25, 1986, the district court apparently included only those attorney’s fees and litigation expenses incurred through August 31, 1985, leaving subsequent expenditures for calculation after any appeal. While we decline to impose attorney’s fees and litigation expenses against Fireman’s Fund in this Court for prosecuting either a frivolous appeal, Fed.R.App.P. 38, or one calculated to achieve delay, 28 U.S.C. § 1912, we do note that in calculating expenditures after August 31, 1985, the district court, in its discretion, in order to make Ingersoll whole, might include those amounts that properly can be attributed to Ingersoll’s defending the appeal taken by Bernard and Taiwan. Of course, those fees and expenses that relate to Ingersoll’s defense of Fireman’s Fund’s appeal, as well as those attributable to IngersolPs cross-appeal, are beyond the scope of the compensatory damage rationale.
V. DAMAGES and PREJUDGMENT INTEREST
A. Damages
Both Fireman’s Fund and Ingersoll dispute the district court's computation of total damages of $977,899. Fireman’s Fund seeks to reduce the total award by $90,970 which was awarded as damages representing the interest for delay in Ingersoll’s receiving contract payments from Hyundai. The Fund claims that interest for delay is not properly recoverable under its policy. On the other hand, Ingersoll seeks to increase its award by $48,287 which represents Waldrich’s expense of financing the costs of repairing Order #24441 and by $157,585 which is said to represent Waldrich’s corporate overhead and profit.
Ordinarily, a district court’s computation of damages in a cargo case is a factual determination that will not be disturbed on appeal unless it is clearly erroneous. Seguros Banvenez, S.A., 761 F.2d at 861. In our view, the district judge carefully considered all items submitted to him by the parties as elements of damages; he awarded some, and rejected others. As to Fireman’s Fund’s claim that damages should be reduced, under its policy it was obligated to indemnify Ingersoll in full for its loss which includes Ingersoll’s damage for the loss of use of contract payments. As to Ingersoll’s claim that damages should be increased, financing costs can reasonably be viewed as a part of overhead; what amount of overhead and profits to award was specifically considered by the district court and included in the final calculation. We find no error in the computation of damages.
B. Interest Rate on Prejudgment Interest
In accordance with our direction that in admiralty cases prejudgment interest “should be granted in the absence of exceptional circumstances,” Mitsui & Co. v. American Export Lines, 636 F.2d 807, 823 (2d Cir.1981), the district court calculated prejudgment interest from the date of payment for the repairs through the date of judgment. Ingersoll objects to the rate of interest used, contending that the proper rate should have been the rate at which Ingersoll actually invested its excess cash
CONCLUSION
To summarize: we hold that (1) Taiwan, Bernard, and Fireman’s Fund all breached their respective contracts with Ingersoll and are therefore jointly and severally liable to Ingersoll for damages and prejudgment interest as determined by the district court; (2) Fireman’s Fund was properly held responsible only for Ingersoll’s attorney’s fees and litigation expenses allocable to its suit against Bernard, Taiwan, and Excellent Marine but not for those allocable to its suit against Fireman’s Fund; (3) Fireman’s Fund may recover from Bernard and Taiwan to the extent it actually pays Ingersoll’s damages (excluding attorney’s fees and litigation expenses); and (4) the claims of Bernard and Taiwan against each other for indemnification were properly dismissed.
The judgment of the district court is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and the case is remanded to the district court for the apportionment of attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.
. Gryphon is not a party to this action.
. The pertinent provisions of the policy are set forth below in full:
17. (a) UNDER DECK shipments — Including containerized shipments under optional On Deck & /Or Under Deck bill(s) of lading are insured. Warranted free from Particular Average unless the vessel or craft be stranded, sunk, or burnt, but notwithstanding this warranty this Company is to pay any loss of or damage to the interest insured which may reasonably be attributed to fire, collision or contact of the vessel and/or craft and/or conveyance with any external substance (ice included) other than water, or to discharge of cargo at port of distress. The foregoing warranty, however, shall not apply where broader terms of Average are provided for hereinafter. BROADER TERMS:—
Insured against all risks of physical loss or damage from any external cause irrespective of percentage, including theft, pilferage and/or non-delivery, but excluding, nevertheless, the risks of war, strikes, riots, seizure, detainment, confiscation, requisition, nationalization and other risks excluded by the "F.C. & S. and/or S.R. & C.C.” warranties in the printed portion of the policy except to the extent that such risks may be specifically covered by endorsement, also warranted free from any claims arising out of the inherent vice of the goods insured or consequent upon loss of time and/or market.
(b) ON DECK shipments are insured:— Warranted free of particular average unless caused by the vessel and/or interest insured being stranded, sunk, burnt, on fire or in collision with another ship or vessel or with ice or with any substance other than water, but liable for jettison and/or washing overboard, irrespective of percentage. The foregoing warranty, however, shall not apply when broader terms of Average are provided for hereinafter.
BROADER TERMS: — [None provided]
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, Marine Open Cargo Policy No. WB 20737, (italics in original), also quoted in 619 F.Supp. 493, 498-99 (S.D.N.Y.1985).
. Clause 8(B)(2) reads in full as follows:
B. Of the limit of liability expressed above, this Company shall not be liable for more than
(2) $175,000.00 in respect of cargo shipped subject to On Deck ocean bill(s) of lading or stowed On Deck with consent of the Assured.
. Taiwan's argument that the district court improperly interpreted the meaning of “clean” on board bills of lading is not relevant. The contract of carriage between Ingersoll and Taiwan was formed in August 1979 when the cargo was booked. It did not contain any reference to bills of lading. Interpretation of the meaning of "clean” bills of lading is relevant only in assessing Ingersoll’s claims against Bernard. See in-' fra section IIB.
. Taiwan asserts that the agency issue had already been decided in a related action in the Northern District of Illinois. Ingersoll Mill. Mach. Co. v. J.E. Bernard & Co., 508 F.Supp. 907 (N.D.Ill.1981). However, that court concluded only that Gryphon was more likely Ingersoll’s agent than Taiwan’s. Id. at 912. Moreover, the district judge was not bound by that decision because it was rendered on a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction before discovery, and without the benefit of testimony and the emergence of all the evidence. We do not believe the issue had been fully and fairly litigated so as to preclude the district judge from making his own independent finding. Saylor v. Lindsley, 391 F.2d 965, 968 (2d Cir.1968); see also Saez Rivera v. Nissan Mfg. Co., 788 F.2d 819, 821 (1st Cir. 1986).
. The meaning of a “clean” bill of lading is one firmly established by the custom and practice of the maritime industry. Its meaning is not ambiguous, and, therefore, the parties' intention in using that term does not govern, as Bernard argues it should. The district court properly did not employ contractual rules of construction, such as the intent of the parties at the time of contracting, in interpreting its meaning.
. Fireman’s Fund contends that the district court improperly considered parol evidence (testimony of Fund officials to the effect that cargo on deck without the insured’s consent but with an under deck bill of lading would be covered by clause 17(a)) in finding an ambiguity in the policy. We disagree. As explained, the district court could properly have found the policy ambiguous on its face. Moreover, under Illinois law, "[i]n determining whether an ambiguity exists, as a matter of law, the trial court may consider parol and extrinsic evidence.” Sunstream Jet Express, Inc. v. International Air Serv. Co., 734 F.2d 1258, 1268 (7th Cir.1984) (citing cases).
. Clause 17(a) does refer to the bills of lading under which containerized, shipments travel. It does not, however, mention bills of lading with regard to other types of shipments. Mentioning one type of shipment and not other types, in our view, only adds to the ambiguity of the clause.
. Fireman's Fund makes a similar argument with regard to mitigation of damages. The Fund argues that Ingersoll failed to take any steps to remove the cargo from danger despite its knowledge as of October 1 that the cargo was stowed on deck and likely to incur damage. However, the burden of proving a failure to mitigate damages falls on the insurer. Emmco Ins. Co. v. Wallenius Caribbean Line, S.A., 492 F.2d 508, 514 (5th Cir.1974). The district court concluded that there was a "dearth of evidence” to show that unloading was a real and viable option and that appellants failed to meet their burden. 619 F.Supp. at 502.
