Bunkers / cargo

Dutch law and the 1952 Arrest Convention do not allow for a ship to be arrested for claims against a time charterer. In that case the claimant will have to look for other assets of the time charterer to seize. Usually the bunkers of the vessel have been paid for and are owned by the time charterer. These can therefore be arrested, whether the claim is a maritime claim or not.

A voyage charterer is neither the owner of the ship nor the bunkers. However, if the voyage charterer has outstanding debts and is the owner of the cargo, the claimant may arrest the cargo.