Asia/Pacific News
Second HOSCO Vessel Arrested in Singapore
A 150,000 dead-weight-tonne (dwt) vessel owned by Chinese company Hebei Ocean Shipping Company Limited (HOSCO) has been arrested in Singapore, Tradewinds reports.
The Heibei Tengfei was detained by the local law firm Rajah & Tann, and although the reasons for the arrest have not been officially released, Tradewinds reports that it is likely related to outstanding payments for services.
The arrest comes after another vessel controlled by HOSCO, the 93,700 dwt Hebei Shijiazhuang, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Norfolk, Virginia this spring following a complaint by bunker supplier World Fuel Services [NYSE:INT] (WFS).
At the time WFS said it was owed more than $700,000 for fuel that it provided the vessel for charter Tramp Maritime Enterprises, and was seeking more than $800,000 after adding in interest and attorneys' fees.
Ship arrests in Singapore during 2012 increased 36 percent year-on-year, according to official data from the Supreme Court of Singapore provided to Ship & Bunker.
