Three Cruise Ships Arrested Over Unpaid Bunkers, Debts

Three cruise ships have been arrested over unpaid bunkers and other outstanding debts. All of the ships are owned by Classic International Cruises (CIC).

The Athena and Princess Danae are being held in Marseilles, France. The Princess Danae was also arrested nearly 3 weeks ago in Dublin, Ireland for owing $94,000 in unpaid bunker fees, but was later released. The third arrested vessel is being charted by All Ways, a Belgian firm, and is reportedly being held in Montenegro.

According to Ship & Bunker, the firm has been financed for several years by Portuguese bank Montepio, which has now stated that it will not fund any further operations of the company and will not to see it through to the end of the cruise season.

About 550 crewmembers seem to be waiting for salaries and expenses for repatriation.

Industry reports coming out of New Zealand claim that the founder of CIC passed away a few months ago and his children have taken over the business; they have apparently inherited a financially chaotic situation.