Introduction

In November 2014 OW Bunker – one of the world's largest bunker suppliers and traders – filed for in-court restructuring for major parts of its business. This triggered a number of cases involving shipowners or operators that had contracted with OW, but had been physically supplied bunkers by a third party. In such cases, shipowners are at risk of having to pay their bunker debts twice if the physical supplier fails to receive payment under its supply contract with OW.