AGCS Marine Insurance Co. v. World Fuel Services, Inc.

187 F. Supp. 3d 428, 2016 A.M.C. 2487, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65119, 2016 WL 2918428
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedMay 17, 2016
Docket14 Civ. 5902 (PAE)
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 187 F. Supp. 3d 428 (AGCS Marine Insurance Co. v. World Fuel Services, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
AGCS Marine Insurance Co. v. World Fuel Services, Inc., 187 F. Supp. 3d 428, 2016 A.M.C. 2487, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65119, 2016 WL 2918428 (S.D.N.Y. 2016).

Opinion

OPINION & ORDER

PAUL A. ENGELMAYER, District Judge

This case involves an insurance dispute arising from a sophisticated fraud carried out on the high seas. Defendants World Fuel Services, Inc. (“World Fuel Inc.”) and World Fuel Services Europe, Ltd. (“WFSE Ltd.”) (together, ‘World Fuel") are suppliers of fuel oil. They were the victims of an impostor purporting to work for the U.S. Government, who contracted with them to purchase a supply of marine gasoil (“MGO”) worth about $17 million. After receiving the fuel via a ship-to-ship transfer, the impostor absconded with it. World Fuel, upon realizing that it had been duped, filed a claim with its insurer, plaintiff AGCS Marine Insurance Company (“AGCS”), seeking to recover under, inter alia, an “all-risk” clause in its policy. AGCS denied the claim. It then filed this action seeking a declaratory judgment that the loss was not covered.

After discovery, the parties cross-moved for summary judgment—World Fuel seeking a declaratory judgment that its loss was covered, AGCS seeking a declaratory judgment that it was not. For the following reasons, the Court grants summary judgment for World Fuel.

I. Background

A. Facts1

The material facts are undisputed. See Tr. 2.

AGCS is an insurer organized under the laws of the state of Illinois with its principal place of business in Illinois. JSF ¶ 11. World Fuel Inc. is a company organized under the laws of the state of Texas with its principal place of business in Miami, Florida. Id. ¶ 1. WFSE Ltd. is a company organized under the laws of England and Wales with its principal place of business in London, England. Id. ¶ 2. World Fuel is an international supplier of fuel oil. Id. ¶ 7.

[433]*4331. The Theft of Fuel from World Fuel

On October 28, 2013, a World Fuel representative received an email solicitation from an individual identifying himself as “James Battell,” seeking to purchase significant quantities of MGO. Id. ¶ 38; JSF Ex. 7. “Battell” represented that he was employed by the Defense Logistics Agency (“DLA”), which supplies the U.S. Government with fuel and is a regular customer of World Fuel. See JSF ¶¶ 39, 31. “Bat-tell,” however, was an impostor and, ultimately, a thief. Id. ¶ 40.

Unaware of the fraud, World Fuel reached out to its suppliers, including Monjasa A/S (“Monjasa”). Id. ¶ 44. On November 18, 2013, Monjasa sent World Fuel an offer to sell 17,000 metric tons of MGO (in other words, to supply MGO to World Fuel’s customer). Id. ¶ 47. The same day, World Fuel submitted a corresponding offer to “Battell.” Id. ÍI49. “Battell,”' still posing as a DLA representative, accepted World Fuel’s offer to sell 17,000 metric tons of MGO. Id. ¶ 50. Ultimately, on November 21, 2013, World Fuel signed a contract to provide this quantity of MGO, worth an estimated $17,284,750, to “Bat-tellTDLA.” See JSF Ex. 13'(“Contract”); JSF ¶ 56. The payment terms were net 30 days (i.e., payment was due within 30 days after delivery). See Contract. The delivery terms were “F.O.B. destination” {i.e., the buyer would take title only upon delivery).2 World Fuel, effectively acting as a broker while Monjasa physically supplied the MGO, would have title- to the cargo on a “flash title” basis.3 AGCS 56.1 ¶ 4; World Fuel 56.1 ¶ 18; World Fuel 56.1 Response ¶ 4;

On November 22, 2013, the day after executing the Contract with “Battell,” World Fuel accepted Monjasa’s offer to sell approximately 17,000 metric tons of MGO. JSF ¶ 57. Delivery was to be effected by ship-to-ship transfers from two Mon-jasa supply vessels, the “Marida Marigold” and the “Montauk,” although ultimately the “African Leader” was substituted for the “Montauk.” Id. ¶¶ 48, 51, 60. “Battell” nominated, supposedly on behalf of the DLA, the “Ocean Pearl” as the receiving vessel for the MGO. Id. ¶ 58.

Between December 7 and 9, 2013, off the coast of Lome, Togo, the Marida Marigold transferred approximately 11,756 metric tons of MGO to the Ocean'Pearl. Id. ¶¶ 59, 61. On December 10, 2013, Monjasa sent World Fuel a Bunker Delivery Receipt (“BDR”), documenting this delivery and bearing the signature of the Ocean Pearl’s Captain. Id. ¶ 62; JSF Ex. 18. Between December 10 and 11, 2013, the African Leader transferred an additional approximately 5,262 metric tons of MGO to the Ocean Pearl. JSF ¶ 63. On December 12, 2013, Monjasa sent World Fuel the BDR for this transfer. Id. ¶ 64; JSF Ex. 19.

On December 20, 2013, World Fuel sent “Battell” an invoice for $17,910,833.28 via email. Id. 1168; JSF Ex. 21. On January 6, [434]*4342014, World Fuel wired Monjasa the suih of $17,061,968.73 in satisfaction of their contract. JSF ¶ 67; JSF Ex. 20. During about a two-week period in January 2014, World Fuel communicated with various (legitimate) DLA personnel regarding the status of its invoice. See JSF ¶¶ 69-70. On or about January 28, 2014, a World Fuel employee spoke with an FBI agent, who informed her that “James Battell” was not a DLA employee and that World Fuel had been defrauded. Id. ¶ 71. This was the first time World Fuel learned that “Battell” was an impostor. Id. ¶ 72. To date, the World Fuel invoice to “Battell” has not been paid; none of the MGO has been recovered; and the location of the MGO remains unknown. Id. ¶ 75-77.

Shortly after the FBI contacted World Fuel in early 2014, World Fuel submitted a claim to its insurer, AGCS. See id. ¶ 80. On or about July 17, 2014, AGCS denied the claim. Id. ¶ 82.

2. The Insurance Policy

AGCS issued an insurance policy to World Fuel effective October 1, 2013—less than a month before “Battell” contacted World Fuel. Id. ¶ 26; see JSF Ex. 6 (“Policy”)- The Policy contains three provisions relevant to this dispute. These are described in turn.

i.All-Risk Clause

The Policy’s default coverage for all “bulk liquid vessel” shipments protects World Fuel “[ajgainst all risks of physical loss or damage from any external cause ... from time of leaving tanks at port of shipment and while in transit and/or awaiting transit and until safely delivered in tanks at destination.” Policy ¶ 11(D) (“All-Risk Clause”). As to any particular shipment, coverage attaches under the All-Risk Clause at the time the cargo commences transit and ends upon delivery. Id. ¶ 14,. The parties agree that, in light of these provisions, the Policy is an “all-risk” insurance policy. See AGCS 56.1 Response ¶10. •

ii.Fraudulent Bills of Lading Clause

Another provision covers physical loss incurred' “through the acceptance by [World Fuel], its Agents or the shipper of fraudulent bills of lading, shipping receipts, messenger receipts, warehouse receipts or other shipping documents.” Policy ¶ 37 (“F.B.O.L. Clause”). The Policy does not define the term “shipping documents.”

iii.F.O.B. Clause

The Policy also covers goods “sold by [World Fuel] on F.O.B., F.A.S., Cost and Freight or similar terms whereby [World Fuel] is not obligated to furnish marine insurance.” Policy ¶69 (“F.O.B. Clause”). The F.O.B. Clause “attaches subject to its terms and conditions and continues until the goods ...

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187 F. Supp. 3d 428, 2016 A.M.C. 2487, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65119, 2016 WL 2918428, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/agcs-marine-insurance-co-v-world-fuel-services-inc-nysd-2016.