In Re the Arbitration Between Hidrocarburos Y Derivados, C.A. & Lemos

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

HAIGHT, District Judge:

This petition to compel arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1, 4, draws the parties into a second round of litigation preliminary to the resolution of commercial disputes by arbitrators. Arbitration agreements are intended to avoid litigation, not breed it. That salutary purpose is not always achieved.

The present petition is brought by Hidrocarburos y Derivados, C.A. (“Hideca”) to compel alleged beneficial and corporate owners of vessels to participate in, and be bound by, a pending arbitration arising out of a…