London Arbitration 15/15

Arbitration – Jurisdiction – Disponent owners entering into sub-voyage charter – Bill of lading incorporating terms of sub-voyage charter including arbitration clause – Disponent owners bringing arbitration proceedings against shippers – Identity of carrier under bill of lading – Whether valid arbitration clause between disponent owners and shippers – Whether tribunal had substantive jurisdiction

The claimant disponent owners had chartered the subject vessel from her registered owners (the head owners) under a voyage charter that contained an option to sub-charter. The claimants (the owners) sub-chartered the vessel for a voyage for the carriage of a cargo of wheat in bulk (the sub-voyage charter).