The spat continues between POSH Semco (PSPL) and Makamin Offshore Saudi, which has accused the Singapore-based company of forging or falsifying a charterparty.
The PACC Offshore Services Holdings (POSH) subsidiary intends to sue Makamin for around SAR 24.4m ($6.6m) and served the Saudi company with court papers in late March. POSH said the sum relates to the timecharter of three vessels by Makamin, plus charges for meals and accommodation and interest on the charter rate owed.
On Monday, Makamin Offshore said it has commenced separate legal proceedings in Saudi Arabian courts to “seek relief for loss and damage caused by POSH and its subsidiaries arising from various breaches of contractual obligations as well as other obligations under Saudi laws”.
Makamin has filed a complaint against PSPL in Saudi Arabia for suspected falsification/forgery of a charter party with Makamin Offshore, allegedly falsified by the POSH subsidiary. The complaint has been handed to Saudi governmental authorities for investigation, Makamin said.
POSH rebuffed the accusation today, saying neither the group nor its subsidiary has received any formal charges on the complaint, which it said was unfounded.
“The company believes that Makamin’s statements are a reaction to the legal actions that PSPL has already commenced against Makamin as referred to above, and that Makamin does not have any basis for any such complaint against PSPL,” the Singapore-listed group said in a filing today.
“In any event, the company intends to vigorously contest and defend against any charge or allegation made against PSPL by Makamin and will take all steps necessary to protect its reputation, its interests and the interests of its shareholders.”
POSH has applied for a court order to compel Makamin to novate its sub-charters for two of the vessels to PACC Offshore’s unnamed nominee.
