Stena Bulk AB and Others v Copley and Others QBD (Admlty Ct) (Jervis Kay QC, Admiralty Registrar) – 3 December 2014

Admiralty practice – Stakeholders – Bunker suppliers becoming insolvent – Ship operators facing competing claims for price of bunkers supplied – Whether ship operators entitled to rely on “Stakeholders” rule to pay money into court to secure claims and prevent vessels being arrested

The claimant owners and charterers purchased bunkers for their vessels from OW Bunker & Trading A/S (OWB) or an OWB company acting as intermediary between the claimants and a physical supplier.