KDB Capital Co. K. Ltd vs Korea Ocean Energy Co. Ltd – CA REM/0004/2018-2025

The court addressed whether the vessel owner (2nd defendant) could be held liable for unpaid bunker supply in the absence of a direct contractual relationship with the plaintiff. The court held that liability may attach to the vessel owner under admiralty law, even absent a direct contract, by virtue of statutory provisions governing actions in rem and in personam. Analysis drew upon the Admiralty Jurisdiction Act No. 40 of 1983, comparative statutory interpretation, and evolving principles in maritime law, confirming that vessel owners can be considered liable parties for such debts. The outcome reaffirmed the principle that admiralty jurisdiction enables enforcement against vessel owners for maritime claims involving the vessel, regardless of the presence of a direct contractual nexus, e