Asia/Pacific News
Singapore Bunker Supplier Arrests Tanker Over Unpaid Bill
A Singapore based bunker and lubes supplier has arrested a chemical tanker owned by Malaysia-based Gagasan Carriers, Tradewinds reports.
The 10,778 DWT Imbak was reportedly arrested on behalf of Singapore law firm Oon & Bazul LLC after Gagasan was said to have failed to pay Sky Oil & Gas Asia Pte monies totaling SGD 44,747 ($33,450).
The company has been hit with a series of tanker arrests at ports across Asia, including the Gagasan Selangor, which was arrested in Bangladesh in July 2014, and the Mutiara Perak, which is still currently under arrest in Malaysia.
The company also reportedly said earlier this month that due to ongoing losses, it was looking to exit the tanker market in order to focus on offshore businesses.
There are plans in place to sell up to five of its seven small products tankers, Gagasan said.
Earlier this year, the Singapore High Court overturned a decision in another case which involved the arrest of a ship over unpaid bunkers, having declared that Transocean Oil's arrest of a former STX Pan Ocean-operated boxship was not "unlawful."