Americas News
World Fuel Services Pursues $500,000 Unpaid Bunker Bill from Already Seized Vessel
A vessel reported to have been seized by U.S. authorities in Portland, Maine in connection with unpaid pilotage services, was on Sunday subject to a second round of legal action by World Fuel Services (WFS) who is attempting to recover almost $500,000 in mostly bunker related debt, local media reports.
The vessel in question is the MV Nova Star, operated by troubled ferry company Nova Star Cruises that operates a service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Portland, Maine.
Court documents seen by local media indicate WFS is seeking a total of $491,360.31 from Nova Star Cruises, including $461,212.40 for unpaid bunkers, $7,087.29 in interest, and $23,060.62 in administrative fees.
WFS' action appears to have been prompted by a separate legal action taken on Friday against Nova Star Cruises by Portland Pilots Incorporated (Portland Pilots) that resulted in the arrest of Nova Star.
Portland Pilots says it is owed almost $200,000 in unpaid pilotage service costs.
'World Fuel Services' interest in its maritime lien will be impaired, and likely lost, unless World Fuel Services is permitted to intervene," WFS' documents read.
"Despite requests for payments for the amounts due for the fuel provided, Nova Star Cruises, and the M/V NOVA STAR have failed to pay the amounts due and the M/V NOVA STAR is currently under arrest for amounts owed to another credit."
A note sent by Nova Star Cruises to Canada's Global News said that it "has paid most of its suppliers costs" and intends to eventually pay all of them.
On Tuesday a post on Nova Star Cruises' official Facebook page said the Province of Nova Scotia has not renewed its contract to provide the ferry service for the 2016 season.
On Monday Ship & Bunker reported that strong cash flows at World Fuel Services meant that the company is looking to become more active in mergers and acquisitions in the near future.
