Arbitrators. Persons proposed for settlement of shipping disputes arising from the contract. They may be professional arbitrators or persons with maritime or commercial knowledge. Shipping agreements often stipulate that the appointed arbitrator must be a commercial person or have experience in shipping matters. The arbitrators intervene to resolve disputes concerning claims arising between those involved in maritime transport, such as shipowners, charterers, shippers, freight consignors, shipping agents, insurers, etc. Such cases concern, inter alia, claims from maritime incidents (shipbuilding, collisions, shipwrecks), freight demands, dues, etc. Most cases, as a rule, are not referred to courts but are resolved by arbitrators.