A federal judge in Texas has told the local US marshal to seize the Norwegian owner’s 7,240-gt Polar Queen (built 2011) after Oceanografia alleged that charter party breaches have cost it more than $4m.
The Ciudad del Carmen-based outfit chartered the vessel for 24 months in October 2011 but says GC Rieber affiliate Polar Explorer wrongly terminated the deal.
The owner also “refused to perform operations in accordance with the instructions of Oceanografia” and still charged for hire, the charterer’s lawyers at New Orleans law firm Harris & Rufty allege in legal filings.
Sale sought
The Mexican company also argues that Rieber did not return a $2.9m deposit or Oceanografia-owned bunkers on the vessel.
Oceanografia is seeking the sale of the Polar Queen in order to pay its damages.
Rieber could not be immediately reached for comment on the allegations.
