Top 10 Transport Headlines from All Regions The effects of sanctions imposed against Iranian entities by the US, the UN, the EU and the UK are already extensive. There has been heated and passionate debate in academic circles and industry publications about the pros and cons of the Rotterdam Rules. In the following case the Court of Appeal had to consider the effect of a refund guarantee in the context of a shipbuilding contract. Following the recent news that yet another travel company, Flight Options Limited, which owns Kiss Flights (among other companies), has ceased trading, holiday makers are being urged to consider the protection on offer when booking a holiday. On 27 July 2010, the EU imposed its toughest sanctions regime yet on Iran, with ramifications for energy, insurance, transport and financial sectors. Two steps forward, two steps back. Italy has been shaking it all about so far this year. And after all that effort, by June 21st the Italian tax police were virtually back where they started the year. The Sturgeon/Böck ruling by the European Court of Justice ("ECJ") has been the subject of continued controversy and uncertainty ever since the judgment was published in November 2009. When a time-chartered vessel's holds fail their inspection at an intended loadport and need further cleaning, a question arises as to who is liable for the shore cleaning time and costs – owners or charterers? On 9 June 2010 the UN Security Council extended the scope of its existing arms embargo and restrictions on financial and shipping companies related to proliferation sensitive activities by extending the assets freeze to 40 additional Iranian companies and organisations. Following on from our article in last month’s Law Update (issue 230) regarding the significance of identifying the appropriate jurisdiction in shipping matters, this is the second part in a series of articles which will set out the qualities a ship owner should consider when choosing a flag state. | 
