MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pardelhas case re emerges in Punta Arenas.

A Punta Arenas magistrate opened the way for the seizure and auctioning of two fishing vessels belonging to Pardelhas Fishing Company after ruling that the company owes maritime agent Ultramar the equivalent of 165,000 US dollars, reports La Prensa Austral.

The two vessels, "Pardelhas" and "Almourol", ("British and Portuguese flags respectively") have been retained in Punta Arenas port for several years and according to the current legal process Pardelhas Fishing Company's commercial address is Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

The arrears demanded by Ultramar date back to September 2002.

The two vessels since last July 14 have no captain or agent since they were abandoned by the crew who also has pending lawsuits with the company for alleged unpaid salaries and other benefits.

Punta Arenas port Officer Luis Letelier quoted by La Prensa Austral indicated that the vessels remain retained close to Isabel island waiting for a Court decision on the matter. Both have their engines damaged and one of them is actually grounded.