Cruise Ship That Left Passengers in Cambodia Arrested in Singapore
PHNOM PENH – The residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey has been arrested in Singapore over unpaid fuel bills, days after departing Cambodia and leaving dozens of its passengers behind, according to Singapore court records.
According to U.S. media outlet CBS News, the ship was arrested on November 8, with Singapore-based law firm Helmsman LLC listed as the arresting solicitor. However, it remains unclear whom the firm represents.
A source familiar with the matter told CBS News that the client is likely a fuel supplier.
Florida-based Villa Vie Residences announced in late October the suspension of its cruise ship operations, giving its 203 passengers just several hours to pack and disembark. The company cited soaring fuel costs that had placed mounting financial pressure on its operations.
Following the suspension of its continuous world voyage, the ship’s creditor took control of the vessel and moved it to Singapore, where it arrived on the morning of November 8. The vessel was arrested at 10:34 a.m. that day.
A ship arrest is a legal procedure that allows a vessel to be detained or seized in response to a legal claim, according to CBS News.
The cruise ship’s future remains uncertain following its arrest. It is currently anchored in Singapore, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The abrupt suspension of operations on October 27 left long-term residents stranded in Sihanoukville, shocking passengers who had expected to continue their voyage around the world.
While some passengers left Cambodia after being stranded, others traveled to different provinces before departing the country. Some have continued exploring the country’s tourist destinations.
As of November 4, around 98 passengers remained in different parts of Cambodia, according to Tourism Ministry spokesperson Top Sopheak.
Sopheak said 85 crew members departed aboard the ship, which sailed from Sihanoukville Autonomous Port at 12:25 a.m. on November 4. Other crew members had already left Cambodia by air.
The 195-meter-long vessel had been sailing around the world for 755 days before the company announced the suspension of its operations. Villa Vie Residences said it was seeking to address exceptionally high fuel costs while evaluating restructuring and recapitalization options.
The company added that fuel expenses had risen sharply in the regions where the ship had been operating.
The Odyssey had previously visited Cambodia, docking at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on September 25 for a four-day stay before departing for Thailand on September 29 as part of its Southeast Asian voyage.
The ship offered permanent and long-term residency options, with cabin purchase prices ranging from $59,999 to around $440,000. Monthly rental rates ranged from $3,499 to approximately $11,000.
Source: Cambodianess
