SIMIC

The vessel has been detained in Waalhaven, Rotterdam since August 30 when its bunkers were arrested, preventing the ship from leaving the port.

Since then, sources have confirmed, owner Maoming Huaxiang, based in Guangdong has retained the ship, but has refused to allow freight or empties to be discharged.

"The ship has been taken back by the owners so, the dispute is now between the equipment and cargo owners and the shipowner," said an industry source. It is understood that the Allseas Pioneer has 1,600 TEU in empties and 50 full containers, some containing whisky loaded in Scotland.

The vessel was chartered to Allseas, which is mired in a legal dispute with Frederiksen-owned SFL, which believed it had an agreement to charter its vessel Green Ace to the UK company that is suing it for US$20 million for unpaid fees.