MINISTRY OF TRADE OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ AND ANOTHER v TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE (INTERNATIONAL) LTD (THE “ALTAIR”)

[2008] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 90

QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION (COMMERCIAL COURT)

Before Mr Justice Gross

Arbitration - Jurisdiction - Vessel and cargo grounded in Kuwaiti waters - Vessel owners engaging salvors on Lloyd’s Standard Form - Whether shipowners had authority to bind cargo owners to London arbitration clause - Identity of cargo owners - Whether arbitrator had jurisdiction to determine salvors’ award against cargo owners - Sovereign immunity - Whether salvors entitled to freezing injunction - International Salvage Convention 1989, article 6.2 - State Immunity Act 1978, sections 14(1) and 14(2).