The Montenegrin bulk carrier Kotor has finally left the port of Savannah, Georgia, after being detained by the US Coast Guard for nearly a month due to technical deficiencies.
Following repairs and a green light from Bureau Veritas inspectors, the vessel is now en route to the port of Tyne, UK.
However, the ship’s departure doesn’t mark the end of its troubles. Kotor still faces unpaid debts nearing $950,000 to American firms Moran Towing and Colonial Terminals.
Vladimir Tadić, director of the state-owned Crnogorska Plovidba (Montenegro Shipping), confirmed that the ship had to depart urgently to meet contractual obligations with its charterer, Trithorn Bulk, which had threatened legal action.
The company avoided what Tadić described as “multi-million euro losses” by setting sail, though it now faces a staggered repayment plan to cover its mounting US liabilities.
