Shagang Shipping Co Ltd (in liquidation) v HNA Group Co Ltd (The “Dong-A Astrea”) – QBD (Comm Ct) (Knowles J) [2016] EWHC 1103 (Comm) – 16 May 2016

Charterparty – Bribery – Shipowners seeking to enforce charterparty obligations against guarantor – Guarantor alleging charterparty procured by bribery – Guarantor relying on confession evidence – Shipowners alleging confession obtained by torture – Whether charterparty enforceable

In 2008 Grand China Shipping Co Ltd (Grand China) chartered the vessel Dong-A Astrea from the claimant (Shagang). By a guarantee of the same date, Grand China’s obligations under the charterparty were guaranteed by the defendant, HNA Group Co Ltd (HNA).