A US judge has issued an arrest order for an Oldendorff Carriers-chartered bulker in a cargo damage case.

Uttam Galva Steels secured the arrest order from Judge Vanessa D Gilmore targeting the 34,400-dwt AS Elenia (built 2011) after filing a lawsuit in Houston against the German operator and an affiliate of compatriot Nordic Hamburg Shipmanagement.

However, market sources suggest the arrest will be short-lived and the vessel could be free to sail by Wednesday night.