Neste Chemicals SA v D K Line SA (The “Sargasso”) - Court of Appeal (Steyn and Peter Gibson LJJ and Sir Tasker Watkins) - 25 March 1994

Civil Jurisdiction Convention Article 21 - When Court first seised of action

In May 1991 a cargo of 2,000 tonnes of propylene was carried on board the vessel Sargasso from Portugal to Antwerp. On arrival at Antwerp some of the cargo was found to be contaminated. On 1 June 1991 the Sargasso was arrested at Rotterdam solely for the purpose of obtaining security for the plaintiffs’ claim. A letter of guarantee was given by the vessel’s P & I Club.