The “Songa Venus” – High Court (Pang Khang Chau J) [2020] SGHC 74 – 15 April 2020

Admiralty practice – Priorities – Costs – Claimant having possessory lien over vessel in respect of claim – Claim would have priority only as statutory lien in absence of possessory lien – Whether costs of enforcing claim to be given same priority as possessory lien or statutory lien

The plaintiff, Keppel FELS Ltd (Keppel FELS) provided services to the vessel Songa Venus, including repairs, modifications, supply of materials and equipment as well as berthing. Having failed to obtain payment from the owner of the vessel, Keppel FELS commenced the present proceedings, arrested the vessel, and obtained an order for the vessel to be appraised and sold pendente lite “without prejudice to [Keppel FELS’] possessory lien over the vessel, if any”. Pursuant to the order, the vessel and the bunkers on board were sold for US$3,749,463.14.