Court dismisses PGS claim against GC Rieber in seismic vessel case

Norwegian shipowner GC Rieber Shipping has come out as a winner for the second time in a case brought before the court by PGS related to the delivery of the Polar Dutchess seismic vessel. 

Polar Duchess vessel

In June 2012, Arrow Seismic Invest II, now PGS Geophysical (UK) Limited, alleged that GC Rieber Shipping’s subsidiary, Armada Seismic Invest II, acted negligently when the company took delivery of the seismic vessel Polar Duchess and claimed 9 million euros ($10.9M) in damages.

The vessel was built by the Factorias Vulcano shipyard in Spain and delivered in October 2011.

After various delays due to procedural issues, the claim against Armada was dismissed by the Bergen District Court in March 2016 and Armada was awarded full legal fees in the amount of NOK 3.4 million ($425,900). PGS then in April of the same year appealed the court’s decision.

According to GC Rieber’s statement on Monday, April 30, 2018, the dispute has now been adjudicated in the Gulating Court of Appeal in Bergen, which has rendered its decision.

The claim against Armada has been dismissed and Armada has been awarded full legal fees in the amount of NOK 3.4 million. The decision may be appealed.

Offshore Energy Today Staff