Paying twice for bunkers

IT is a truism that shipping is a global industry. As result, it can also be a complex one, especially when it comes to legal matters. Very often, decisions in national courts can have world-wide ramifications.

This is certainly true in cases resulting from the collapse of the Danish company OW Bunker in 2014, which has led to various parties trying to recover payments for fuel. There have been legal rulings related to OW Bunker in, probably among other places, Singapore, Australia, Canada and the UAE.

Recently, though, attention has focused on a case before the UK Supreme Court; the action was brought in the UK as the transaction was subject to UK law, but shipowners and bunker suppliers around the world could be affected and are following developments closely.