Seatrium has escalated its dispute with Maersk Offshore Wind’s affiliate Phoenix II, launching arbitration over the abrupt cancellation of a near-complete wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) originally contracted at $475m.
The Singapore yard filed its notice of arbitration on 28 November under London Maritime Arbitrators Association terms, seeking a ruling that Phoenix II wrongfully terminated the contract and that the deal remains valid.
Seatrium is asking for specific performance, including taking delivery of the vessel by 30 January 2026 and paying the delivery instalment — worth 80% of the price — or alternatively damages. The WTIV, ordered in 2022 when Sembcorp Marine was still independent, was intended for the Equinor-operated Empire Wind I project in the US. Construction was about 99% complete when the buyer cancelled the order on October 9.
Seatrium rejected the termination the following day and notified the client later in October that the vessel would be ready for delivery by January 30. The company has also continued talks with end-customer Empire Offshore Wind to explore a direct handover of the unit. Phoenix II issued its own notice of arbitration on October 21, but did not specify what claims it intended to pursue.
Seatrium said the contract is the last remaining legacy Sembcorp Marine order not structured with progressive milestone payments — a factor that leaves most of the price still outstanding at delivery. The yard maintains that the buyer’s actions show an intention to walk away from the contract.
The shipbuilder said the financial impact will depend on the outcome of the legal process and that it will update the market as developments unfold.
