Marina Shipping Ltd. v. Laughton and anr. (The Antama) - Court of Appeal (Lawton, Brightman and Oliver L.JJ.) - 11 December 1981

Blacking of ship by ITF - Whether unlawful secondary industrial action

Marina Shipping were the owners of the vessel Antama which was hired on a time charter to carry a cargo of palm kernels for delivery in Hull. After the Antama had docked at Hull some members of the crew complained to the ITF about their pay. ITF officials concluded that the crew were not being paid in accordance with European standards and insisted that the owners should be paid European rates and be given back-pay. The owners said they did not have the money and that if the ITF persisted in its demand the vessel would have to be sold. As a result, the ITF decided to black the Antama and instructed the various unions involved in supplying services in the docks to withdraw their services from the vessel. As a result, the Antama was prevented from sailing by union members refusing to operate the lock-gates.