PONANT Ship Charter Canceled Due to Payment Dispute Following Crypto Arrest

The French luxury cruise line PONANT has canceled a charter of its ship, the Le Commandant Charcot, which was arranged for a group of 150 Russian passengers. This cancellation comes in light of the recent arrest of Iurii Gugnin, a Russian cryptocurrency entrepreneur, in the United States. Gugnin’s company, Evita Investments, was responsible for facilitating the payments related to this charter.

PONANT confirmed Gugnin’s involvement in the transaction, alongside the chartering agency TRVL, which is based in Dubai and owned by Russians. Following the cancellation, TRVL has initiated legal proceedings against PONANT, claiming that, despite the total charter fee being set at $8.5 million, PONANT has failed to refund $5.8 million.

PONANT operates a fleet of 13 vessels and is owned by the Pinault family, known for their parent company, Kering, which oversees luxury brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent. The canceled expedition was touted as an exclusive polar cruise, and the situation emphasizes the intricate relationship between high-value charters, international finance, and regulatory issues impacting the luxury cruise industry.

For further details, visit PONANT and Accidents.

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