According to Haikou Maritime Court’s announcement, the Brightoil link VLCC, owned by a Hong Kong company, was detained at Yangpu Port at the request of the vessel owner’s creditor bank in France.
Specifically, the court stated that the arrest was requested by a French bank that has provided the shipowner with $45.5m in loans, of which over $43m in principal and interest is overdue.
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Although the vessel is partially named, the 2013-built VLCC Brightoil Gem, that belongs to Brightoil Petroleum, fits the court’s description.
Moreover, AIS tracking shows the vessel has been anchored at Yangpu Port since January 1.
The arrest follows another two tankers owned by the company, 2012-built VLCC Brightoil Glory and 2010-built aframax Brightoil Lion, being placed under suspension in Singapore.
In November, Brightoil cancelled its fleet sale plans and entered into charter agreements with Shell for nine tankers, made up of five VLCCs and four aframax tanker.
