Asia/Pacific News
PDZ Moves to Defend Against Vessel Arrest for Unpaid Bunkers
PDZ Holdings Bhd (PDZ) says it is working to defend against the arrest of its vessel, the PDZ Maju, after Continental Platform (M) Sdn Bhd (CPSB) has moved to claim RM563,311 ($127,662.59) in unpaid bunkers dues, Malaysian media reports.
PDZ says the vessel's arrest was made in relation to the non-payment for bunkers supplied to PDZ Mewah in December 2016.
The company further notes that, since the vessel's arrest, it has been in negotiations with CPSB in an effort to reach a settlement out of court.
"However, the board is of the opinion that negotiations with CPSB has since fell through and, upon obtaining legal advice, has resolved to take steps to defend the arrest of the vessel and any claims that may subsequently be filed and set it aside," PDZ explains.
Mohd Latip & Associates, PDZ's solicitors, has said the company has a strong case with which to challenge the vessel's arrest and set aside the claims.
"The group has made the necessary arrangements to secure slots from third-party vessels as an interim measure to continue providing customers with the same services as currently provided," said PDZ, noting that it expects losses resulting from the vessel's arrest to fall within a range of RM45,000 ($10,198.30) to RM50,000 ($11,331.45) per month, including costs for purchasing slots.
As Ship & Bunker reported in January, Dan-Bunkering (Singapore) Pte Ltd (Dan-Bunkering) served a warrant of arrest on PDZ Mewah in relation to the supply of bunkers.
