Russia's Sovcomflot (SCF Group) is pursuing claims against Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) in a legal battle that is pitting state-owned companies of two allied governments against each other.

SCF has alleged that PDVSA owes in $30m on unpaid charter hire, according to court documents in the Dutch-controlled island of Sint Eustatius. 

That includes at least $2.76m in allegedly unpaid charter bills on the Russian shipowner's 110,000-dwt NS Columbus (built 2007), whose $20m cargo SCF seized on the island late last year as part of the sparring.

 

Legal