Blue Dream Melody Arrested Over Fuel Dispute

The Liberian-flagged cruise ship Blue Dream Melody has been detained at Beihai Port in China following a dispute over unpaid bunker invoices. The action came after bunker supplier Island Oil Limited secured a court order related to outstanding fuel payments.

According to reports, the vessel took delivery in October last year of 391.5 metric tons of high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) and 260.1 metric tons of very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). Island Oil Limited alleged that payment for the bunkers had not been received and subsequently applied to the Beihai Maritime Court for the ship’s arrest.

On February 11, the court granted the request and issued an arrest order, leading to the vessel’s detention at Beihai Port. The court determined that security in the amount of US$599,393 must be posted for the ship’s release.

The court has also instructed Island Oil Limited to initiate arbitration proceedings or file a lawsuit against the relevant parties within 30 days. If no legal action is taken within that timeframe, the vessel will be released.

Blue Dream Cruises, which mainly operates within China’s domestic cruise market, had already announced on January 4 that Blue Dream Melody would suspend sailings to carry out hardware upgrades and routine maintenance.