In November 2012, Germany's Denmar Chartering & Trading signed a deal to buy $677,000 of bunkers in Singapore.

But unless the highest court in the US steps in, it might be owner Phoenix Bulk Carriers that is forced to foot the bill because of a common provision in the supply contract that allowed the 52,500-dwt Bulk Juliana (built 2001) to be arrested once it reached New Orleans, even after Denmar no longer had ties to the vessel.