The Port of Algeciras is Spain's largest port and Europe's fifth largest by container volume. Its position on the Strait of Gibraltar — the obligatory passage between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea through which over 20% of world maritime trade passes — makes it the Spanish port where ship arrest has the greatest operational urgency and the greatest strategic versatility.
A creditor with a debt outstanding against a vessel that does not regularly call at Spanish ports can monitor its movements via AIS and act the moment it calls at Algeciras to take on bunkers. It does not matter where the debt was contracted. What matters is that the vessel is here now, and within a few hours it will have sailed.
No other Spanish port demands such speed. Liner container vessels stay at APM Terminals and TTI Algeciras terminals for between 6 and 18 hours. Vessels calling exclusively to take on bunkers may be in the bay for just 4 to 8 hours. This means the viability assessment, preparation of the application and filing before the Commercial Court of Algeciras must be executed in record time. Sometimes in less than two hours.
Algeciras is a world-class container transhipment hub. Major liner carriers — Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Evergreen, COSCO — operate regular calls at the bay's terminals. Debts for unpaid freight, demurrage, container detention or unpaid port services can be secured by arrest.
Algeciras is one of Europe's largest marine fuel supply ports. Bunker suppliers hold a privileged maritime claim under the Geneva Convention 1999 allowing them to arrest the vessel at any Spanish port where it calls. This is the most frequent type of claim in our Algeciras practice.
The most characteristic Algeciras strategy. A creditor can identify when the vessel calls at Algeciras to refuel and act at that moment. The Geneva Convention 1999 allows arrest of the debtor vessel in any port of a contracting state, regardless of where the debt was contracted. Algeciras, by its Strait position, is the natural ambush point for this strategy.
Bulk carriers transporting minerals, coal, grain and fertilisers generate frequent claims for unpaid freight, cargo damage and demurrage when calling at Algeciras on their Atlantic-Mediterranean route.
The vast majority of charterparties under which vessels calling at Algeciras operate contain clauses of English law and LMAA arbitration. Ship arrest in Algeciras is the Spanish interim measure that secures the claim while the arbitral proceedings develop in London. We coordinate with our London correspondents when required — a single point of contact for the client in Spain.
The competent court for ship arrest in Algeciras is the Commercial Court of Algeciras, at Calle Regino Martínez 1, 11201 Algeciras, with proven experience in urgent arrest proceedings for transit vessels through the Strait. The Maritime Captaincy of Algeciras physically executes the immobilisation order coordinating with the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras and terminal operators. Minimum security: 15% of claimed amount. Spanish courts do not accept P&I Club letters of undertaking unless expressly agreed.
Do you need to arrest a vessel in Algeciras or the Strait of Gibraltar?
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