Teekay’s ALP Maritime Services had earlier agreed to buy the vessels from a consortium of German KG owners for en bloc purchase price of about $220m.

But Hamburg-based Harms Bergung Transport & Heavylift GmbH & Co, which now manages the ships, is disputing the sale and has threatened legal action.

But chief executive Peter Evensen said the dispute was a “matter between the sellers and their existing managers”.

“It