Up to a dozen ships belonging to beleaguered Singaporean offshore operator Swiber Holdings are either docked in or anchored off ports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where maritime laws prevent them from being arrested due to woes plaguing their parent company.

Maritime lawyers in Dubai say they have been approached by creditors of Swiber Holdings with a view to arrest ships belonging to the company but UAE laws are keeping the fleet safe for now.

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