X v Y - QBD (Com Ct)(Burton J) - 9 February 2011

Arbitration - Time bar - Modified Centrocon arbitration clause - Consecutive voyage charter - Whether arbitration commenced within 12 months of final discharge or termination of charterparty

By a charterparty dated 21 September 2007 on the SYNACOMEX 2000 form, with additional clauses, the vessel was charted for three consecutive voyages. Clause 36 contained a modification of the Centrocon Arbitration Clause, and provided that a claim would be time-barred unless the claimant’s arbitrator was appointed “within 12 months of final discharge or termination of this Charterparty.”