American President Lines Ltd. v. Pannill Veneer Co. Ltd.

This was an action by an ocean carrier to recover freight charges. The Defendant shipper had retained a freight forwarder who made the carriage arrangements with the Plaintiff. The Plaintiff invoiced the freight forwarder who in turn invoiced the Defendant. The Defendant paid the freight forwarder but the forwarder became insolvent and did not pay the Plaintiff. The Court held that it was never intended that the Defendant would pay the Plaintiff and accordingly dismissed the action.