Asia/Pacific News
9th OW Bunker Related Arrest in Australia
Federal court marshals in Australia Thursday arrested the Malta-flagged bulk carrier Pounda on behalf of ING Bank (ING) as the Dutch financial giant continues in its efforts to collect outstanding OW Bunker debts - the country's ninth such arrest resulting from the collapse of the former bunker giant.
According to a report by IHS Fariplay, the arrest warrant for the 177,000 DWT vessel was issued in New South Wales over a claim for unpaid bunkers totaling $589,000 plus interest.
Data from VesselsValue.com indicates the 2009-built vessel is controlled by Greece-based Cardiff Marine.
Australian court records are said to show a total of 32 arrests since July 2015.
In December, an "unprecedented" rise in ship arrests at Australian ports linked to disputes over unpaid bunkers was reported, mostly in relation to unpaid bills stemming from the collapse of OW Bunker.
