Seamec Faces Liquidated Damages Risk After Sea Pearl Vessel Non-Delivery and Terminated Charter with HAL Offshore

Seamec Ltd is under the spotlight this week as it deals with legal and financial fallout surrounding its attempt to acquire the offshore vessel ‘Sea Pearl.’ The situation has led to the termination of a major charter agreement with HAL Offshore and put Seamec at risk of liquidated damages, following months of contract delays and escalating disputes.

 

Background: The ‘Sea Pearl’ Acquisition and Charter

In December 2023, Seamec entered a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Ships & Boats Oil Services (SBOS), Egypt, to acquire the offshore support vessel Sea Pearl for $7 million, with delivery targeted for June 2024.

 

The plan was to deploy both Sea Pearl and Sea Diamond, another advanced vessel, under charter deals with HAL Offshore for ONGC projects, with a combined contract value of $19.2 million over three years at $8,750 per day each.

 

What Went Wrong

SBOS failed to deliver Sea Pearl in accordance with the MoA terms and its addendum, missing several key contractual deadlines.

 

As a result, Seamec was unable to place Sea Pearl into service as scheduled, jeopardizing its obligations under the charter agreement with HAL Offshore and impacting its projected offshore operations for ONGC.

 

Consequently, HAL Offshore has now terminated its Memorandum of Understanding with Seamec regarding Sea Pearl, citing non-delivery as the cause.

 

Legal Action and Risk of Liquidated Damages

Seamec has initiated arbitration proceedings against SBOS in London, seeking compensation for direct losses of $347,206 and liquidated damages up to $4.62 million, under the London Maritime Arbitrators Association Terms.

 

The outcome will determine whether Seamec can recover its claimed losses or will itself be held responsible for break fees or penalties under its own commercial agreements, including the terminated HAL Offshore charter.

 

Impact on Seamec and Stakeholders

The company has assured the National Stock Exchange and its stakeholders that, while substantial sums are being contested, there are no immediate financial penalties booked from these disputes yet.

 

Seamec continues to manage other vessel deployments and remains active in key ONGC-related projects, but the setback with Sea Pearl and the state of arbitration introduce new uncertainty for its 2025 operations and revenue visibility.

 

Broader Implications for Business

The Sea Pearl episode highlights the operational risks inherent in complex international vessel acquisitions and the need for diligent contract management.

 

For Seamec, successful recovery of damages in arbitration would offset direct losses, but further liquidated damages could impact financials if awards go against the company.

 

Analysts and industry observers are watching closely as other charter and procurement deals may hinge on the resolution of this dispute.

 

Looking Forward

While Seamec works through arbitration and renegotiates its project portfolio post-Sea Pearl, the company’s immediate focus is on mitigating financial exposure, maintaining service continuity for ONGC, and updating investors on any developments in the arbitration process.

 

Sources: Economic Times Legal, EquityBulls, LinkedIn (OGEL Energy Law), CNBC-TV18, IIFL, direct company filings and announcements