Norwegian Shipowners' Claims (Norway v. United States of America)

After the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, the United States Government requisitioned all ships over 2500 tons including certain ships that were being built for Norwegian citizens. A dispute arose regarding the payment of indemnities to the owners of the requisitioned ships. Norway claimed for just compensation in respect of the requisitioned ships. A United States company sought to obtain payment of monies owed under a construction contract which had not been paid due to the requisition.

 

The Arbitral Tribunal ruled in favor of Norway by ordering just compensation with interest. In respect of the sum owed by the United States company the Arbitral Tribunal ruled that the United States government could retain this sum from the compensation owed to the Norwegian claimant so that it could be paid to the company directly. The arbitrator appointed by the United States dissented from the award of the Arbitral Tribunal. 


Case information

Name(s) of Claimant(s)
Name(s) of Respondent(s) -
Names of Parties

Representatives of Norway

Captain C. Frölich Hanssen (Agent)

The Honorable Walter L. Fisher (Counsel)

Mr. Edward B. Burling (Counsel)

Mr. George Rublee (Counsel)

Mr. Dean G. Acheson (Counsel)

Mr. Ole Roed (Counsel)

Mr. Johan Bredal (Counsel)

Mr. Tryggve Sagen (Counsel)

 

Representatives of the United States of America

The Honorable William C. Dennis (Agent)

The Honorable George Sutherland (Counsel)

Mr. Stanley H. Udy (Associate Counsel)

Case number 1921-01
Administering institution Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
Case status Concluded
Type of case Inter-state arbitration
Subject matter or economic sector Post-conflict situations
Procedural rules Ad Hoc Rules of Procedure
Treaty or contract under which proceedings were commenced

Other

Language of Proceeding English
Seat of Arbitration (by Country) -
Arbitrator(s), Conciliator(s), Other Neutral(s)

Mr. James Valloton (President)

The Honorable Chandler P. Anderson

His Excellency Mr. Benjamin Vogt

Representatives of the Claimant(s) -
Representatives of the Respondent(s) -
Representatives of the Parties
Number of Arbitrators in case 3
Date of commencement of proceeding 30 June 1921
Date of issue of final award 13 October 1922
Length of Proceedings 1-2 years
Additional notes -

Documents

Award or other decision
Award of the Tribunal