Thu 10 Mar 2016, 13:47 GMT

Singapore firm alleges contaminated fuel, seeks $602,000


Lawsuit filed in Houston against four bunker supply chain companies.



Singapore's Galborg Pte Ltd has filed a lawsuit in Houston, alleging that it was sold off-specification fuel last year.

Galborg, which operates the liner service Gulf Africa Line (GAL) between the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. East Coast and Southern Africa, filed the complaint on February 19 in the Houston Division of Texas Southern District Court against Kristensons-Petroleum Inc., Minerva Bunkers Pte Ltd, Buffalo Marine Services Inc. and Buffalo 90.

The plaintiff alleges in the document papers that it purchased bunker fuel from the defendants for its vessel Silverfjord on July 8, 2015.

Galborg holds the four defendants responsible for allegedly contaminating the bunker fuel with methacrylate polymer, which is said to have damaged the vessel as a result. The plaintiff alleges that it incurred damages of $602,773.42.

Galborg is being represented by William A. Durham of Eastham Watson Dale & Forney L.L.P (EWDF), a legal practice based in Houston.

According to its website, EWDF's primary focus is in the area of admiralty and maritime law. "All of the attorneys at Eastham, Watson, Dale & Forney specialize in maritime law and have backgrounds and training that complement the admiralty practice," the company says.

Gulf Africa Line (GAL) is specialized in the transport of containers, break bulk and bulk as well as heavy lifts and project cargoes. Galborg USA LLC has offices in Houston and Savannah.


Isla Bella vessel. Galveston LNG Bunker Port signs vessel partnership with TOTE Services  

Agreement establishes framework for Jones Act LNG bunker vessel development on the US Gulf Coast.

CMA CGM Thorium vessel. CMA CGM adds methanol-powered containership to fleet  

CMA CGM Thorium named in South Korea and deployed on Mexico Express service.

Vard’s nuclear-powered offshore vessel concept render. Vard completes concept design for nuclear-powered offshore construction vessel  

Shipbuilder says study confirms technical feasibility of integrating small fourth-generation reactor in DP vessel.

Lake Villarica vessel. Eastern Pacific Shipping completes 550th ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation  

Singapore operation supplied LNG to dual-fuel PCTC Lake Villarica via FueLNG Bellina bunker vessel.

Global Maritime Forum logo. Global Maritime Forum joins India green shipping network  

Non-profit organisation becomes member of platform focused on alternative-fuel infrastructure and deployment.

Aerial view of a container vessel. IACS publishes unified requirement for ammonia release mitigation systems  

New framework establishes harmonised standards for the design, testing and certification of safety systems on ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Vaishali Pant, Flex Commodities. Flex Commodities appoints Vaishali Pant as senior marine fuels trader  

Pant joins Dubai firm as trader for the Indian Ocean region.

Wilson Nobre, Island Oil. Island Oil opens Rio trading desk, appoints Wilson Nobre as Brazil business development manager  

Marine fuel supplier establishes Latin American presence with new trading operation in Rio de Janeiro.

Ultramax bulk carrier concept render. Oshima Shipbuilding receives approval for multi-fuel-ready Ultramax bulk carrier design  

Lloyd’s Register grants approval in principle for 64,000-dwt vessel concept accommodating ammonia, methanol and LNG.

GEFO Bunker Trading ISCC certification announcement graphic. GEFO Bunker Trading receives ISCC certification for sustainable marine fuels  

German bunker firm gains ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certificates.