Hilong launches $8m counterclaim against Vallianz in AHTS charter dispute

Singapore OSV owner and operator Vallianz is facing a legal challenge in a vessel charter dispute with Hilong Marine Engineering.

The company said in a stock exchange filing that its subsidiary, Vallianz Offshore Marine, has been served with a counterclaim of $8.1m from the subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed Hilong Holding over alleged deficiencies in the chartered vessel Vallianz Supreme.

The initial dispute arose after Vallianz sought $702,217 in unpaid charter fees. The two companies settled on the claim in May, but Vallianz said Hilong failed to pay the amount despite reminders, which resulted in a further $54,297 accrued interest.

The 2012-built anchor handling tug supply vessel, chartered from August 2023 and returned in March this year, saw its fixture extended despite Hilong’s claims of operational downtime and the need for a replacement vessel, Vallianz said, adding that it is currently consulting its lawyers on the counterclaim and taking necessary action to pursue its claims against Hilong.