SD Rebel BV & Anor v Elise Tankschiffahrt KG [2025] EWHC 376 (Admlty) (27.02.25)

During her voyage from Rotterdam to Antwerp, Stela collided with a mole structure separating waterways and ran aground. VB Rebel  with consent (but no LOF) assisted in refloating Stela after which her Master signed a “Certificate of Safe Delivery” specifying disputes to be “settled in London in accordance with English law”. Nonetheless, Stela commenced and (despite an English ASI) continued proceedings in Rotterdam, where the Dutch Court ruled the jurisdiction clause too vague. The Admiralty Court held that “London” clearly meant Courts in London, and the operation amounted to “salvage”. The Court made a remuneration award, issued a final ASI, and awarded costs expended in defence of the Dutch proceedings plus an indemnity for any liability ascertained in Rotterdam.

Read the full judgment here.