Christian Hess Ratz, Jurgen Hess Ratz, and Steel Connect, B.V. (collectively the 'Sellers') will initiate arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association against LOGISTEC Marine Services ULC and LOGISTEC Stevedoring Canada Inc. (collectively 'LOGISTEC') regarding the purchase of the IPA Steel Terminal in Altamira, Mexico. ^[1] The American Arbitration Association (AAA) announced on an unspecified date in 2026 that it added 103 new panelists to its roster of arbitrators and mediators between January and July 2026. ^[2] LOGISTEC announced on February 17, 2026, that it had concluded a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of IPA Terminal, a bulk and steel handling facility in the port of Altamira, Mexico. ^[3] On July 3, 2026, LOGISTEC issued a notice of default claiming the Sellers breached the agreement because IPA Terminal was handling steel from Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK), a Russian company subject to Canadian economic sanctions imposed in 2025. ^[4] The Sellers deny violating Canadian sanctions, stating that neither they nor IPA Terminal have commercial relations with NLMK or its majority owner Vladimir Lisin, and that the steel in question belonged to an independent third-party client. ^[5] Eric Dill, SVP, chief people officer and head of panel relations at the AAA, stated that AAA panelists are essential to the dispute resolution process and that the organization continues to strengthen its panels to address growing complexity in disputes. ^[6] The new panelists are distributed across five specific categories: 47 joining the Commercial Panel, 23 joining the Construction Panel, 22 joining the Employment Panel, 9 joining the Labor Panel, and four joining the Consumer Panel. ^[7] The AAA clarified that its panelists are not employees of the organization but are independent neutrals selected through a rigorous review process based on professional accomplishments and subject-matter knowledge. ^[8]