Asia/Pacific News
Searights Bunkering Vessel Among Several Recent Singapore Vessel Arrests
A bunkering vessel owned and operated by Searights Maritime Services Pte Ltd (Searights) has been arrested in Singapore, and is one of several to have been made in recent weeks.
The arrest of Giselle was made at 4:05 pm on June 29, 2016, following action by local law firm H A & Chung Partnership.
The 2009-built, 9,100 dwt vessel is worth $9.95 million, according to VesselsValue.com.
Moby Dick Supplies Pte. Ltd. (Moby Dick Supplies) is behind the arrest, who has told Ship & Bunker it is claiming just over S$15,000 ($11,100) for non-payment of various goods, materials, and/or services.
Two of Searights' other bunkering vessels, Atlantic Ocean and Fernando, were also named in the legal action.
The developments come at a period of changing fortunes for the bunker supplier that last year placed 12th in the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) list of top bunker suppliers by volume.
Cecil Cheong, the company's former CEO and well-known industry figure, passed away last November.
Speaking to Ship & Bunker last May, the company then had to deny rumours that it had filed for bankruptcy.
The arrest of Giselle was also one of several others in Singapore last month.
Action from Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP resulted in the arrest of two other small clean tankers; Feng Hai 10 on June 22, a 16,500 dwt vessel owned by China's Dongguan Fenghai Ocean Shipping, and the June 16 arrest of 10,400 dwt tanker Yue You 902, owned by China-based Guangdong Pearl River Tanker.
VesselsValue.com say the tankers are worth $11.89 million and $3.94 million respectively.
Additionally, the 2010-built Maverick Gunner, an 81,000 dwt bulk carrier that VesselsValue.com indicates is controlled by Greece-based Efploia Shipping and valued at $12.94 million, was arrested on June 22 following action by Asia Practice LLP.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the USD amount being claimed by Moby Dick Supplies was $11.1 million.
