Rules to extend reach of Dutch ship arrest

Haco van der Houven van Oordt, at AKD, reviews a key change in rules to extend the Dutch courts’ rights on ship arrest

The so-called ARA ports – Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp – have long been known as a hotspot for arresting ships, with parties able to secure claims against vessels irrespective of where related litigation or arbitration is taking place in the world. The vast number of ships calling at these three ports has prompted many claimants to take advantage of these conditions, both for ship arrest and bunker arrests. Leave for arrest is commonly granted in ex parte proceedings within a few hours, even during weekend and evening hours, allowing for arrests to be executed around the clock.