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Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) said in an announcement on its website on 23 October 2026 that it had assisted PT ANTAM Tbk, an Indonesian state-owned mining company, in bringing English High Court proceedings arising from the loss of the M/V Emerald Star to an end. The firm said the Claimants, described as the Shipowners and Insurers, discontinued their claims after ANTAM mounted a jurisdictional challenge.
Key points
- HFW said the Claimants filed a Notice of Discontinuance covering all claims following ANTAM’s jurisdictional challenge, closing the English proceedings.
- The firm said the Claimants are liable for ANTAM’s costs of those proceedings.
- Related Hong Kong proceedings to restore the Shipowners, Dubai Bulkers Limited, to the company register have been dismissed, with costs awarded in ANTAM’s favour, HFW said.
- The M/V Emerald Star, a Hong Kong-registered bulk carrier, sank on 13 October 2017 after encountering Tropical Storm Khannun while carrying nickel ore from Indonesia to China.
- HFW said ANTAM belongs to MIND ID, described as Indonesia’s state-owned mining industry holding company, and that ANTAM is listed on the Main Board of the Indonesia Stock Exchange under the ticker ANTM.
Legal issues
HFW described the dispute as combining shipping, commodities, mining and insurance issues. According to the firm, these spanned English jurisdiction and forum conveniens arguments, Indonesian shipping law, the incorporation of bills of lading and charterparties, standing in the Hong Kong restoration proceedings, UAE rules on assignment and subrogation, arrangements for funding litigation from outside sources, and the maintenance and champerty doctrines recognised at common law.
The team
HFW said the matter was handled by Sumarsono Darsono, a partner who is Indonesian and based in the firm’s Hong Kong office, with Associate Jennifer Leung providing support, and that lawyers from the London, Hong Kong and Dubai offices worked together on the case. Sumarsono Darsono said: “We are very pleased to have helped ANTAM bring this long-running dispute to a close. The matter showcases our ability to support clients in complex, high-value cross-border disputes by bringing together local insight, international reach and sector-specific expertise. We look forward to continuing to deliver high-quality legal services to clients across Asia Pacific.”