Korean shipbuilder DSME has failed in a legal bid to overturn arbitration awards against it in a $373m row over delays to Songa Offshore rigs.
The UK high court struck out DSME's application for permission to appeal the arbitration decisions on the basis the company took too long to file an application.
DSME was also refused permission to appeal the court's judgment and Songa Offshore was awarded its costs relating to the Songa Equinox and Songa Endurance claims.
"No payment is due by Songa Offshore to DSME," Songa said.
And it added that it was evaluating the pursuit of its counterclaims. Songa has previously said it was considering a $65.8m counterclaim.
Out of time
In September, DSME filed suit to overturn arbitration rulings. Songa always considered the bid out of time, however.
DSME had made claims of $372.7m in total against Songa, alleging it had made “inherent errors and omissions” in the design documents, which led to cost overruns.
The tribunal had to decide which party was responsible for the design documents and found in favour of Songa.
Justice Simon Bryan said in his ruling: "The fact that Korean corporations have very hierarchical management structures and take a considerable period of time in relation to important issues does not begin to justify delay.
"Indeed if there is such a structure that is all the more reason to put steps in train in good time before the deadline."
He added: "It is not suggested, and cannot be suggested, that Songa or the tribunal caused or contributed to the delay.
"Far from causing or contributing to the delay, ...Songa's solicitors promptly drew to the attention of DSME's lawyers that time had expired but even then no immediate application was made, and further time passed before an application for an extension was made."
