The floating dock company in Tenerife seizes the tanker “Prestigious WD” over a debt of 800,000 euros

A debt of 800,000 euros, roughly speaking, seems to be the cause of a seizure presented by the company that owns the floating dock at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, against the shipping company of the tanker “Prestigious WD”, which has been docked at the southern pier since July 15.

This debt, according to maritime sources, refers to work carried out afloat and whose amount has not been settled on time. Everything seems to indicate that the possibility of this 72,908-ton deadweight tanker using the aforementioned floating dock is completely fading, and the intermediary has put the company in a good mess.

For now, the owner of the mentioned tanker is fulfilling its contractual obligations regarding the Port Authority's fees to avoid problems with an official entity, although this entity, aware of the action taken by the ship repair company, is on alert for what may happen.

According to puentedemando.com, the possible dry docking of the catamaran “Volcán del Taidía” and the trimaran “Pepita Castellví” at the floating dock is not confirmed.

Meanwhile, one of the builders of the floating dock in China seems to have already found a new place to relocate, now in a “new creation” project, although they could remain linked to the company.

The floating dock, with a lifting force of 22,000 tons, is technically prepared to begin its operations. The immersion tests conducted on September 26 were satisfactory.

The vessel “Prestigious WD” (IMO 9257498) is a crude oil tanker, flagged in Antigua & Barbuda, which has changed its name four times —the most recent in October 2022, according to VesselFinder— since it was put into service in January 2003, then under the name “Four Clipper”.

Maritime sources point out that the prolonged stay of a tanker of these characteristics in the Tenerife port is striking, considering the current freight rates for this type of tanker.

According to international sources, the mentioned tanker was involved in May 2024 in an alleged crude oil theft incident in Nigeria. The ship, measuring 227.50 m in length and with a mixed crew of Ukrainians and Nigerians, occupies a space that it will have to vacate in the coming days, as the high season for tourist cruises begins.

Photo: Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo