THE "URSUS"

[2015] SGHCR 07, High Court of Singapore, Registrar, Justin Yeo AR, 6 April 2015

Admiralty proceedings - Vessel arrest - Arbitration - Stay - Dismissal - Whether suits should be dismissed or stayed because statement of claim not served - International Arbitration Act, section 6

On 20 November 2014 in rem writs were issued (but not served) against the in personam defendant's six vessels, arresting them as security for a claim to be arbitrated in Hamburg. It was never the intention that the substance of the claim should be heard by Singapore courts. The defendants applied for the suits to be dismissed under the Rules of Court because no defence had been served within time, or to be stayed under the International Arbitration Act.