General Average. General Average shall be adjusted, stated and settled in London or any other place selected by the Carrier and according to the York/Antwerp Rules 1994 except Rule Paramount thereof and as to matters not provided for by those Rules, according to the laws and usages in London. The General Average Statement in every instance shall be prepared by Average Adjusters selected by the Carrier. In average adjustments, disbursements in foreign currency shall be exchanged into any currency at the Carrier's option at the rate prevailing at time of payment and allowances for damage to cargo claimed in foreign currency shall be converted at the rate prevailing on the last day of discharge at the port of final discharge of such damaged cargo. Average agreement or bond and such additional security as may be required by the Carrier, must be furnished before the delivery of the Goods. Such cash deposit, agreement or other security as the Carrier or its agents may consider requisite to cover the estimated contribution of the Goods and any salvage and special charges thereon shall be made by the Goods, or the Merchant(s) to the Carrier if required before delivery. Any deposits shall be payable at Carrier's option in the currency to be indicated on each occasion by the Carrier and be remitted to the Average Adjusters. Refunds of credit balance shall be paid in the same currency. It is understood that in every instance the Merchant shall remain responsible until the statement of average has been settled. In case of accident, danger, damage or disaster before or after commencement of the voyage resulting from any cause whatever, whether due to negligence or not for which or for the consequence of which the Carrier is not responsible by statute, contract or otherwise, the Goods, the Merchant(s) shall contribute with the Carrier in General Average to the payment of any sacrifices, losses or expenses of a General Average nature that may be made or incurred and shall pay salvage and special charge incurred in respect to the Goods. If the salving ship is owned or operated by the Carrier, salvage shall be paid so fully as if the salving ship was owned or operated by strangers.