Tort means which of the following?

• A. Negligence or nuisance.
• B. Breach of charter terms.
• C. A force majeure event.
• D. A shipping delay.

Answer: (A)

In civil law, a tort is a civil wrong that causes someone to suffer loss or injury, for which the wrongdoer can be held liable in damages even without a contract. Negligence and nuisance are two common forms of tort. Negligence occurs when someone fails to take reasonable care, and that failure causes harm, such as damage to cargo or injury to people. Nuisance involves an unlawful interference with another’s use or enjoyment of their property, like pollution or hazardous conditions arising from shipping activities. The other options describe contract-related concepts or outcomes rather than torts themselves: breaching charter terms is a contract breach, force majeure is a contractual clause that excuses performance under certain events, and a shipping delay is an effect or consequence, not a category of civil wrong.