Pilot Enterprises, Inc. v. Brodosplit, Inc.
Opinion
SUMMARY ORDER
Plaintiff Pilot Enterprises Inc. (“Pilot”) appeals from the district court’s vacatur of an order of attachment issued pursuant to Rule B of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims. We review the district court’s decision for abuse of discretion, which we will identify if the “decision rests on an error of law or a clearly erroneous finding of fact.” See Aqua Stoli Shipping Ltd. v. Gardner Smith Pty Ltd., 460 F.3d 434, 439 (2d Cir. 2006). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the facts and procedural history of this case, which we reference only as necessary to explain our decision to affirm.
The parties agree that the attachment in this case restrained both (1) electronic funds transfers (“EFTs”) in the hands of one or more intermediary banks, and (2) a letter of undertaking (“LOU”) issued on behalf of BS Sun Shipping Monrovia (“BS Sun”) to Citgo Petroleum Corp. (“Citgo”) by BS Sun’s protection and indemnity (“P & I”) club in consideration for the Citgo not attempting to arrest the M/T Stinice, a vessel operated by Pilot and owned by BS Sun and its alleged alter-ego defendants Brodosplit Inc., Brodosplit Plividba d.o.o., Brodosplit Shipping Ltd., Brodogradjevna Industrija Split d.d., and Brodosplit Brodo-gradiliste d.o.o. (collectively, “Brodosplit defendants”). The parties also agree that the district court’s order vacating the attachment released the attachment of both the EFTs and the LOU.
Phot does not challenge the district court’s order insofar as it releases from restraint the Brodosplit defendants’ EFTs. See Shipping Corp. of India Ltd. v. Jaldhi *925 Overseas Pte Ltd. (“Shipping Corp. of India ”), 585 F.3d 58 (2d Cir. 2009). Rather, Pilot challenges the district court’s order to the extent it releases the LOU. It argues that the district court should have allowed discovery and invited briefing “as to the proprietary and/or beneficial ownership of the rights conveyed in the LOU.” Appellant’s Br. at 18. We disagree.
The district court explained that it released the LOU from restraint because it was ‘“worthless as to Pilot.’” Endorsed Chalos Letter at 2, Pilot Enterprises Inc. v. Brodosplit Inc., et al., No. 07 Civ. 8520 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 28, 2009). This conclusion finds support in the terms of the LOU, which was “restricted” to P & I club’s satisfaction of any judgment rendered in Citgo’s favor on its in rem claim against the M/T Stinice under bills of lading issued to Citgo. Pilot does not dispute that Citgo has filed no such claim and that the time for doing so has since passed. Under these circumstances, the district court acted well within its discretion in concluding that the LOU was worthless and properly released from restraint.
We have considered the parties’ other arguments and find them to be without merit. Accordingly, the December 28, 2010 order of the district court is AFFIRMED.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- PILOT ENTERPRISES, INC., Plaintiff-Appellant, v. BRODOSPLIT INC., Brodosplit Plividba D.O.O., Brodosplit Shipping Ltd., Brodogradjevna Industrija Split D.D., Brodosplit Brodogradiliste D.O.O., Defendants-Appellees
- Status
- Unpublished