NEW ORLEANS – A charterer alleges a vessel's condition cost it additional expenses, lost revenue and delays.
Louis Dreyfus Commodities Suisse SA filed a complaint on Jan. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against President Seatrade SA alleging breach of obligation.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Jan. 7, 2016, plaintiff agreed to charter the defendant's M/V Dias for $4,000 per day. The suit states the defendant failed to deliver the vessel to the plaintiff in a seaworthy state. The charter concluded with a net payment due from defendant in the amount of $110,441.41, the suit states. The plaintiff holds President Seatrade SA responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to maintain the vessel in a good condition throughout the entirety of the charter term and has refused to pay the amount due to plaintiff.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks declaration that this complaint be deemed good and sufficient, judgment against defendant in the full amount of plaintiff's claims, together with interest, costs and attorney’s fees and all other just and equitable relief. It is represented by Derek A. Walker and Alan R. Davis of Chaffe McCall LLP in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:17-cv-00362