Introduction
Ship arrest remains one of the most effective enforcement tools available to bunker suppliers facing non-payment. The Baltic States — Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia — each have distinct procedural frameworks that creditors must understand before applying for an arrest order.
Latvia
Latvian courts can arrest vessels under the International Convention on Arrest of Ships 1999. The claimant must demonstrate a maritime claim within the meaning of the Convention and provide evidence of the debtor's connection to the vessel.
Lithuania
Lithuanian arrest proceedings are governed by the Civil Procedure Code and the 1952 Arrest Convention. Arrest applications are typically processed within 24-48 hours.
Estonia
Estonian courts apply the 1999 Arrest Convention and require the claimant to post counter-security in certain circumstances.
Key Considerations
- Timing is critical — vessels may leave port within hours
- Local counsel should be instructed before the vessel arrives
- Counter-security requirements vary by jurisdiction
- Club letters of undertaking may be accepted as alternative security