Mexico recognizes Crimean vessel to be property of Ukrainian company
Mexico has officially recognized that the Titan-2 crane vessel registered in Crimea belongs to the Kiev-based company, Chornomornaftogas. This was reported by the Naftogaz of Ukraine press service.
The vessel was hired by a Swedish company in 2003 as a bareboat charter. In 2011, the Swedish company sub-chartered it to Mexican company, Oceanografia SA de CV. However, after a while the Mexican company went bankrupt and the vessel was expropriated by the Mexican financial authorities.
According to Naftogaz, Mexico will release the vessel and the Ukrainian government has to now decide the fate of the ship.
“This is the first time that the authority of another country has officially recognized the ownership rights of NJSC: Chornomornaftogas. This was made possible through the joint efforts of Naftogaz of Ukraine, Chornomornaftogas, the Ukrainian Embassy in Mexico as well as the involvement of Mexican advisors who have experience in negotiating the release of seagoing vessels,” Naftogaz of Ukraine reported.
The crane vessel was designed for the assembly and disassembly of floating drilling platforms.
The ship is currently situated near the Mexican port of Ciudad del Carmen. It is stranded due to damage caused by a hurricane.
Also, it was previously reported that Naftogaz of Ukraine had sent an official notice regarding the investment disputes over assets in Crimea.