VLADIVOSTOK, December 12. /TASS/. The Neptune motor vessel of the Russian shipping company Gudzon cannot leave the shipyard in China’s Nantong, where it stayed for the last six months, due to continued recalculations of scopes of completed work and payments for them by both parties, Deputy Director of Gudzon Valery Uliskin told TASS on Wednesday.
It was reported earlier that the vessel repair at the shipyard started in March. According to the contract, it was to be completed in 25 days but was delayed and the shipyard claimed payment for actually completed work in October. Gudzon said in November that the conflict was close to resolution and that the vessel would leave the shipyard soon.
"The Chinese side, although we seemingly agree on the total payment amount, is recalculating the price of some minor activities again. They are not too expensive but they also should be agreed, so that both sides make sure that the work was completed and requires payment. This case with repeated approvals is lasting for too long, Uliskin said.
The vessel downtime in docks should also be paid, the deputy director said. Since this amount is also growing, it complicates the mutual settlements process even further. The motor vessel’s repair has not been completed and the company will in any case have to find a new facility to complete all scheduled activities, Uliskin added.
The US Treasury imposed sanctions against Gudzon in August 2018 on allegations that its vessels were involved in transferring oil products to North Korean vessels.
According to the Russian Consulate-General in Shanghai, the case with Neptune is purely commercial and "there is absolutely no sanctions rhetoric in the negotiating process of both companies."