The Forum Craftsman - Court of Appeal (Ackner & Browne-Wilkinson L.JJ. and Sir John Megaw) - 20 December 1984

Admiralty action in rem - Stay of proceedings - Cargo damage claim in tort - Whether jurisdiction in which tort committed is natural forum for determination of dispute

The vessel Forum Craftsman was arrested in England pursuant to a claim by plaintiff cargo owners. The plaintiffs alleged that their cargo had been damaged by the vessel’s crew as a hatch cover was being closed after completion of loading at a Japanese port. The damage had occurred before any bill of lading had been issued, and in any event the bills of lading subsequently issued were time-charterers’ bills. The vessel was owned by a Panamanian company and managed from Piraeus. She flew the Greek flag.