The rumor has been circulating in the port world since the spring, but it is only now that DOI.dk can reveal a legal aftermath between two port users in Frederikshavn Harbour. In the autumn of 2023, the oil tanker Zafiro Producer broke free from the quay during a violent autumn storm while it was being scrapped at Modern American Recycling Services, Europe A/S (M.A.R.S).
The Zafiro Producer caused serious damage to other vessels in the port, the worst of which happened to Noble Drilling's drilling rig Noble Resilient, which had its helicopter deck completely torn off. It is something that North Jutland has previously written about.
The aftermath of the bill for the repairs of Noble Resilient culminated on 24 October this month, when the Maritime and Commercial Court received this summons: "Noble Drilling et al. against Modern American Recycling Services, Europe A/S et al." In addition to the two parties, a number of insurance companies are involved in the case of the playoffs after the autumn storm.
CEO confirms the subpoena
When DOI.dk contacted M.A.R.S.'s CEO Kim Thygesen in the spring, he could deny that the company had received a subpoena. But it is no longer like that.
- Yes, a summons has arrived, says Kim Thygesen.
DOI.dk learns from sources close to the case that the repairs should amount to around DKK 100 million. DKK. The director can neither deny nor confirm that.
We don't have the overview yet, so we can't say where we are, says Kim Thygesen, who at the same time rejects the persistent and massive rumors that a possible bill of 100 million DKK should mean a closure or bankruptcy of M.A.R.S. in Frederikshavn:
- The subpoena is not going to raze us to the ground, so it has no meaning.
M.A.R.S. turnover in 2023 in the region of DKK 360 million. DKK, and in Kim Thygesen's office there is also a growth prize for doubling the turnover. Perhaps that is also why he takes the future completely easy.
- It was actually to be expected that there would be a sequel, and we have had a year to prepare for it. It is a long process and it will take years, says Kim Thygesen and promises one thing about detached ships:
- We have made sure that it will not happen again.
Municipal director: Case between companies
Since Zafiro Producer broke free and drifted into Noble Resilient, the Port of Frederikshavn has gone from being a municipal self-governing port to being a municipal port with a debt of approximately DKK 1.7 billion. DKK.
Therefore, it could also have serious consequences for the entire Frederikshavn Municipality if M.A.R.S. should end up leaving the company bankrupt. The port could simply lose an important source of income in a difficult time.
However, the municipal director does not see it that way.
- It is a matter between two companies at the port, so I have no comment on that, says Frederikshavn's municipal director Thomas Eriksen to DOI.dk.
DOI.dk has tried in vain to obtain a comment from Noble Drilling in the USA.
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