Stellar Shipping Co LLC v Hudson Shipping Lines - QBD (Comm Ct)(Hamblen J) - 18 November 2010

Arbitration - Jurisdiction - Arbitration agreement - Contract of Affreightment between shipowners and charterers containing arbitration clause - Shipowners contending that COA contained guarantee by charterers' parent company - Whether parent company party to COA - Whether parent company bound by arbitration clause in COA

In April 2008 chartering brokers Velos Chartering (“Velos”) approached Maritime Brokers & Consultants Inc (“MBC) who acted for Hudson Shipping Lines (“Hudson”), in relation to a suitable vessel for the carriage of coal in bulk from Vietnam to Egypt. On 17 April 2008 MBC “bid firm” for a contract of affreightment (“COA”) between “Phiniqia Intl Shipping, Dubai” as charterers and Hudson as owners covering four shipments of coal in bulk from Vietnam to Egypt at a freight rate of US$63 per mt. MBC asked Velos to advise the full style and background for Phiniqia.