The impact of the current Middle East geopolitical conflict on cross-border shipping and major engineering projects has now extended from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Interrelated risk events, differing in timing, location and pathway of impact, may evolve into multiple separate disputes under EPC contracts, equipment supply contracts, transport contracts and insurance contracts. 

For participants, the question is not only whether these events constitute force majeure or support claims for time and cost, but also how the events and disputes should be characterized: should subsequent risks be treated as a continuation of the original crisis, or as separate events? How can the factual narrative, legal characterization and relief sought remain consistent across different contracts and different proceedings? And at what point should negotiation, mediation, dispute boards, expert determination and arbitration come into play? 

This ICC YAAF Saudi Arabia & North Asia event will bring together corporate representatives, lawyers, arbitrators and engineering consultants for a panel discussion on how a single geopolitical crisis can give rise to interconnected project disputes, and how international arbitration and ADR mechanisms can be used to avoid fragmented proceedings, duplicated procedures and conflicting outcomes. North Asian corporate, legal and dispute resolution professionals active in the Saudi Arabian and wider Middle East market are welcome to attend.