Suit claims local maritime company failed to pay for work

A Texas company says a Bexar County corporation failed to pay it nearly $100,000 for materials and work it provided.

P.I. Holdings No. 1 Inc. filed a lawsuit Nov. 16 in Jefferson County District Court against AHL Shipping Company.

P.I. Holdings claims R&R Marine provided labor, services and materials to AHL on an open account between January 2007 and July 2008.

After R&R filed bankruptcy, P.I. acquired all of the company's accounts receivable, including the money AHL owed to R&R.

"After the labor and services were performed and materials provided, AHL made a partial payment to R&R Marine totaling $10,000," the suit states. "The principal balance due on the account is $97,200.15."

According to the complaint, AHL's debt stems from a contract it entered into with R&R on Jan. 22, 2007, in which AHL agreed to pay for labor, services, material and equipment R&R provided.

On June 20, 2008, AHL again entered into a contract with R&R in which R&R agreed to furnish labor to pull a rotor, perform repairs and deliver the rotor to the New River.

In a third contract on June 30, 2008, R&R agreed to rent three VGL racks and three cylinders for inerting a ship bunker tank to AHL, according to the complaint.

However, AHL refused to return the rental equipment or to pay for a majority of R&R's services, the complaint says.

In addition to the money P.I. claims AHL owes it, it seeks pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, attorneys' fees and other relief the court deems just.

Lisa A. Powell and Earl H. Walker of Jackson Walker in Houston will be representing P.I.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: D185-341.