Haimark Line Ltd. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
reorganization.
The line listed its largest creditor as Haimark Ltd., an
affiliated company that operates river cruises. The bankruptcy does not affect
that company.
Haimark Line’s only ship, the 210-passenger Saint Laurent,
was out of service for a month this summer after it struck a lock navigating
the St. Lawrence Seaway. Four cruises were canceled.
Thomas Markwell, managing partner for sales and marketing at
Haimark Line, said the Chapter 11 filing was prompted by an unresolved claim
with Clipper Cruises, the owner of the vessel, that arose after the collision.
"We remain very optimistic that it will be remedied
this week and we will be able to rescind the filing,” Markwell said.
In addition to Haimark Ltd., which is owed $782,772, other
major creditors are Fleetpro, owed $642,057, and Clipper Cruises, owed
$582,531, according to the Oct. 30 filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for
Colorado.
Fleetpro operates the hotel functions of the Saint Laurent.
Haimark Line has been marketing a cruise this winter that
departs Miami and explores several ports in Cuba. Its itineraries in the summer
included the Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence River and New England.
In an e-mail, Markwell said that the 2016 season for the
ship is 85% booked, and the 2017 season is 80% booked.
Haimark Line said in a statement that any disruptions to its
service will be announced "if and when they occur during this period of
reorganization."