The charterer “lost” UDS barges: what is known
25.03.2023 - 14:15
UDS appealed to the police and the court regarding the return of lanterns from illegal rental.
PJSC “Ukrainian Danube Shipping” (UDS) appealed to the police regarding the illegal appropriation of its ships, which are in the “Pivdennyi” port. The police have opened criminal proceedings, reports UDS.
“In past years, the UDS leadership had a habit of renting out the fleet, never to return it. So, back in 2013, the shipping company decided to hand over 8 lighters to the Seaside (Ukraine) company from the Pivdennyi port. For intraport transportation and storage of grain cargoes. The freight rate is $40 per day (currently the market freight rate is from $140),” the press service of the shipping company says.
The company only paid for the time the lantern was in use. The charterer himself was responsible for keeping track of working hours.
“The charterer guaranteed that after the conclusion of the contract, he would return the lanterns and pay for towing from the Port of Pivdennyi to the Port of Izmail. The contract ended at the end of 2013. The lanterns are still in “Pivdennyi”, the press service added.
In 2022, the UDP tried to contact Seaside (Ukraine) to find out about the location and technical condition of the lanterns. It was agreed on the terms and conditions of their return, because the UDP needs the lanterns for the construction of SLG barges.
After checking, it turned out that the charterer does not have all the lanterns. The UDS applied to the Economic Court of Odesa Region with a claim for the return of property. The trial is currently ongoing.
“We will seek recovery from the charterer of costs for rebasing the fleet to Izmail. As well as solving the issue with the missing lanterns,” the UDS notes.
