Chemical tanker arrested over unpaid repair bills to Otto Marine

The 2009-built, 9,131 tanker is owned by RS Marine Investments in Singapore, a company belonging to Rakesh Shankarlal Tulshyan and was arrested after action was started in the Singapore High Court on 23 July by Batamec’s lawyers Rajah & Tann.

The court proceedings relate to unpaid ship repair charges for reapirs made to the Ratna Blessing between 13 December 2015 and 21 March 2016.

“Partial payments for the services were effected but various outstanding charges remained. RS Marine Investments Pte Ltd failed to make payment for the remaining charges despite reminders,” Otto Marine said in a statement to the Singapore Exchange.

“In the circumstances, PT Batamec was constrained to commence legal action against the vessel to recover the outstanding charges.”

Otto Marine said that PT Batamec would take “all necessary actions” to enforce its rights over the vessel.

It is the second legal action launched by Otto Marine in the last week the company said it had made a claim against Robert Knutzen Shipholdings Ltd (RKSL) and its guarantor Robert Knutzen over charter payment default of two vessels totaling $2.83m plus interest.