Ship Owners Liability (SOL)

Ship owners’ Liability to Cargo Cover, refers to insurance that protects carriers from liabilities arising due to breaches of the contract of carriage. When a breach occurs that prevents the carrier from using available defenses or limitations, this coverage ensures they are protected. Carriers sometimes need to deviate from the agreed route or Bill of Lading (B/L) for various reasons, exposing them to potential cargo liability. While deviations can be covered by Liability Insurers on specific occasions, SOL cover provides broader protection for such deviations during the policy period.

SOL cover includes specific liabilities that are typically excluded from standard Liability Cover. A common example is geographical deviations or changes to the agreed voyage, where liability for cargo loss or damage due to such deviations falls outside the scope of regular Liability coverage.