Mare Nova Incorporated v Zhangjiagang Jiushun Ship Engineering Co Ltd [2025] EWHC 223 (Comm) - King's Bench Division, Commercial Court (His Honour Judge Keyser KC) - 10 February 2025

Shipbuilding - Defective repairs - Arbitration - Serious irregularity - Whether defence relied upon by arbitrator raised in arbitration - Error of law - Whether contract exempted shipyard from liability - Arbitration Act 1996, sections 68 and 69

MNI owned the vessel Mare Nova. ZJ owned a shipyard in China. In March 2021 the vessel entered ZJ's shipyard for drydocking and other works, pursuant to a contract dated 19 February 2021. General Condition section 2 of the contract set out ZJ's obligations.