AMERICAS BULK TRANSPORT LTD v COSCO BULK CARRIER LTD (THE “GRAND FORTUNE”)

[2020] Lloyd's Rep. Plus 43

QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION (COMMERCIAL COURT)

Before His Honour Judge Pelling QC (Sitting as a Judge of the High Court)

Arbitration – Jurisdiction – Sub-charter evidenced by fixture recap incorporating terms of head charterparty – Disponent owner not identified in recap – Arbitration commenced by assignee of head charterer claiming payment of hire against sub-charterer – Whether valid arbitration agreement – Sub-charterer disputing identity of disponent owner – Whether arbitration tribunal lacked jurisdiction.