Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. 22-CV-11182-RWZ
2022-08-24
HANWIN SHIPPING LIMITED, v. TRANSATLANTICA COMMODITIES PTE LTD. and the Master of the M/V TAC Imola
Brian P. Maloney, Pro Hac Vice, Bruce G. Paulsen, Pro Hac Vice, Seward & Kissell, LLP, New York, NY, Christopher John McNally, Sayer Regan & Thayer, LLP, Newport, RI, Todd Lochner, Lochner Law Firm, P.C., Annapolis, MD, for Hanwin Shipping Limited. J. Stephen Simms, Stephen Simms, Simms Showers LLP, Baltimore, MD, Samuel P. Blatchley, Eckland & Blando LLP, Boston, MA, for Transatlantica Commodities Pte Ltd., The Master of the M/V Tac Imola.
Brian P. Maloney, Pro Hac Vice, Bruce G. Paulsen, Pro Hac Vice, Seward & Kissell, LLP, New York, NY, Christopher John McNally, Sayer Regan & Thayer, LLP, Newport, RI, Todd Lochner, Lochner Law Firm, P.C., Annapolis, MD, for Hanwin Shipping Limited. J. Stephen Simms, Stephen Simms, Simms Showers LLP, Baltimore, MD, Samuel P. Blatchley, Eckland & Blando LLP, Boston, MA, for Transatlantica Commodities Pte Ltd., The Master of the M/V Tac Imola.
MEMORANDUM & ORDER
ZOBEL, SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGE
On July 22, 2022, Hanwin Shipping Limited ("Hanwin") filed a complaint for (1) breach of maritime contract and (2) maritime attachment and garnishment, which was granted, against Transatlantica Commodities Pte Ltd.'s ("Transatlantica"). Docket # 1. On July 27, 2022, this court allowed Transatlantica's Motion to Vacate the Attachment Writ (Docket # 23), upon its posting security in the amount of $564,283.35. Docket # 26. Then, Transatlantica filed its answer and counterclaim, alleging $4,417,272.74 in damages, and moved for an order requiring Hanwin to post countersecurity. Docket #s 28, 30. Pursuant to Federal Supplemental Admiralty Rule E(7)(a), Transatlantica is entitled to countersecurity for its counterclaim. See Aracruz Trading, Ltd. v. Kolmar Group AG, Case Nos. 3:13-cv-1651 (JBA), 3:13-CV-1652 (CSH), 2015 WL 269141, at *4-6 (D. Conn. Jan. 21, 2015). Therefore, Hanwin shall post countersecurity but in the amount of only $988,793.21, because it has already posted security in the amount of $3,428,479.53 in several related cases.
The parties agree that the merits of this claim will be decided in a London arbitration.
Not including the $150,000 in alleged interest, attorney's fees, and costs. See Result Shipping Co., Ltd. v. Ferruzzi Trading USA Inc., 56 F.3d 394, 401 (2d Cir. 1995).
Hanwin represents that it has provided security in the following matters: London arbitration ($995,857.22); D.N.J., Case No. 22-cv-3348 ($195,857.22); E.D. La., Case No. 22-cv-2454 ($400,000); S.D. Tex., Case No. 22-cv-1983 ($979,893.63); and Panama ($856,871.46). Docket # 33.
Transatlantica's Motion for Countersecurity and to Stay the Case (Docket # 30) is ALLOWED. Upon Hanwin posting security in the amount of $988,793.21, the case is STAYED.
Transatlantica's Motion to Deny the Writ or Dismiss the Complaint (Docket #10) is DENIED as moot.