Grand China is facing fresh lawsuits from Denmark-based Norden and Germany-based Oldendorff Carriers, court documents showed. Norden claimed that Grand China and its affiliates have breached some $5.27m on maritime contracts, notably for not paying the agreed daily charter hire of bulker Nord Yilan and for returning the 28,000 dwt vessel 669 days earlier.

Through a New York court, Norden seeks that a “judgment be entered against the defendants in the sum of $5,273,184.44 and the proceeds of the assets attached be applied in satisfaction thereof.”

In another case, Oldendorff Carriers is claiming $3.42m from Grand China Shipping (Hong Kong) for breach of similar maritime contracts. Grand China had failed to make charter payments for the 180,000 dwt bulker K Daphne, which was owned by Korea Line Corporation (KLC). Grand China sub-chartered the vessel to Oldendorff for a time charter period of nine to 11 months. When KLC withdrew K Daphne from the service of Grand China due to the latter's non-payment, Oldendorff claimed it was unable to fulfill a contract of affreightment for the transportation of cargoes from Norway to Saudi Arabia.

Source: Seatrade-Asia