Asia/Pacific News
Singapore Jascon 18 Arrest "Without Merit"
The arrest of multi-purpose construction support vessel Jascon 18 in Singapore last week is "without merit," the vessel's original owners said in a Tuesday statement released to Ship & Bunker.
"On 7th January 2016, Jascon 18 was arrested on behalf of a shipyard in Singapore, which has been reported by some industry news media. This shipyard had worked on construction of the vessel until November 2015, at which point the vessel sailed following completion of the yard's work," Sea Trucks Group (Sea Trucks) said.
"Sea Trucks considers the arrest to be without merit, having arisen out of a dispute between a Group subsidiary company and the shipyard. Sea Trucks is providing the vessel's owners with its full support in seeking the vessel's prompt release.
"Sea Trucks will remain in close dialogue with its subcontractors to ensure the final completion works can be carried out on the vessel as soon as possible. This arrest in no way affects Sea Trucks' ability to pay contractors."
Ship & Bunker originally understood the vessel to still be owned by Sea Trucks, but the company has also clarified that the vessel was sold last year.
"In March 2015, Sea Trucks sold a vessel under construction, the 'Jascon 18', to new owners, who are independent of Sea Trucks," Sea Trucks said.
"These owners engaged Sea Trucks to complete construction of the Jascon 18."
On Monday Ship & Bunker reported that the vessel detention marked Singapore's first arrest of the year.
