Skip to main content

CITGO Asphalt Refining Co. v. Frescati Shipping Co., Ltd.

Docket No.18-565
Op. Below3d Cir.
ArgumentNov 5, 2019

Holding

The plain language of the safe-berth clause in the parties' subcharter agreement, requiring the petitioners to designate a safe berth for a vessel to load and discharge cargo, establishes a warranty of safety.

Judgment

Affirmed, 7-2, in an opinion by Sonia Sotomayor on Mar 30, 2020. Justice Thomas filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Alito joined.

Proceedings & orders timeline

Jul 30, 2018
Application (18A113) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from August 28, 2018 to September 27, 2018, submitted to Justice Alito.
Jul 31, 2018
Application (18A113) granted by Justice Alito extending the time to file until September 27, 2018.
Aug 31, 2018
Application (18A113) to extend further the time from September 27, 2018 to October 27, 2018, submitted to Justice Alito.
Sep 4, 2018
Application (18A113) granted by Justice Alito extending the time to file until October 27, 2018.
Oct 26, 2018
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 30, 2018)
Nov 20, 2018
Motion to extend the time to file a response from November 30, 2018 to December 31, 2018, submitted to The Clerk.
Nov 20, 2018
Blanket Consent filed by Petitioners, CITGO Asphalt Refining Company, et al.
Nov 21, 2018
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including January 2, 2019, for all respondents.
Nov 30, 2018
Brief amici curiae of American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association, et al. filed.
Nov 30, 2018
Brief amici curiae of Maritime Law Association of the United States et al. filed.
Dec 18, 2018
Motion to extend the time to file a response from January 2, 2019 to February 1, 2019, submitted to The Clerk.
Dec 19, 2018
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is further extended to and including February 1, 2019, for all respondents.
Jan 24, 2019
Motion to extend the time to file a response from February 1, 2019 to March 4, 2019, submitted to The Clerk.
Jan 25, 2019
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is further extended to and including March 4, 2019, for all respondents.
Mar 4, 2019
Brief of respondent United States in opposition filed.
Mar 4, 2019
Brief of respondents Frescati Shipping Company, Ltd., et al. in opposition filed.
Mar 19, 2019
Reply of petitioners CITGO Asphalt Refining Company, et al. filed.
Mar 20, 2019
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/12/2019.
Apr 15, 2019
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/18/2019.
Apr 22, 2019
Petition GRANTED.
Apr 26, 2019
Blanket Consent filed by Petitioners, CITGO Asphalt Refining Company, et al.
May 9, 2019
Motion of the parties for an extension of time to file the briefs on the merits filed.
May 16, 2019
Motion of the parties to extend the time to file the briefs on the merits granted. The time to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including July 9, 2019. The time to file respondents' briefs on the merits is extended to and including September 10, 2019.
Jun 19, 2019
Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioners CITGO Asphalt Refining Company, et al.
Jul 3, 2019
Motion for a further extension of time to file the joint appendix filed.
Jul 3, 2019
Motion to further extend the time to file the joint appendix and granted and the time is extended to and including August 8, 2019.
Jul 8, 2019
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
Jul 9, 2019
Brief of petitioners CITGO Asphalt Refining Company, et al. filed.
Jul 16, 2019
Brief amicus curiae of North American Export Grain Association filed.
Jul 16, 2019
Brief amici curiae of American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association and International Liquid Terminals Association filed.
Jul 16, 2019
Brief amicus curiae of Tricon Energy, Ltd. filed.
Aug 5, 2019
Motion to dispense with printing the joint appendix filed by petitioners GRANTED.
Sep 3, 2019
CIRCULATED
Sep 10, 2019
Brief of respondent United States filed. (Distributed)
Sep 10, 2019
Brief of Private Respondents filed. (Distributed)
Sep 13, 2019
Brief amicus curiae of Sir Bernard Eder filed. (Distributed)
Sep 16, 2019
Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 3rd Circuit.
Sep 16, 2019
Brief amici curiae of BIMCO (Formerly The Baltic and International Maritime Council), et al. filed. (Distributed)
Sep 17, 2019
Amicus brief of Manfred W. Arnold not accepted for filing. (September 17, 2019 -- Duplicate submission)
Sep 17, 2019
Brief amicus curiae of Manfred W. Arnold filed. (Distributed)
Sep 17, 2019
Motion for divided argument filed by the Solicitor General.
Oct 7, 2019
The record from the U.S.C.A. 3rd Circuit has been electronically filed.
Oct 9, 2019
Reply of petitioners CITGO Asphalt Refining Company, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Oct 15, 2019
Motion for divided argument filed by the Solicitor General GRANTED.
Nov 5, 2019
Argued. For petitioners: Carter G. Phillips, Washington, D. C. For federal respondent: Erica L. Ross, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For private respondents: Thomas C. Goldstein, Bethesda, Md.
Mar 30, 2020
Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Sotomayor, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Ginsurg, Breyer, Kagan, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh, JJ., joined. Thomas, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Alito, J., joined.
May 1, 2020
JUDGMENT ISSUED.

Welcome to SCOTUSblog

Tell us a bit about yourself so we can tailor what you see. You can update these any time in your account.