Croatian shipowner Uljanik Plovidba is requesting mediation over a 2009 deal for four ships to be built at domestic yard 3 Maj.
The tanker and bulker company said it had applied to the County General Attorney Office in Rijeka in relation to an HRK 80m ($12.1m) compensation claim arising from a cooperation agreement between the two companies dated 21 January that year.
The deal also involved the country's ministry of economy, labour and entrepreneurship and the ministry of the sea, transport and infrastructure.
The agreement was concluded "in order to overcome serious business difficulties at 3 Maj," it said. No further details were available.
The yard is not listed as having built any such ships for Uljanik Plovidba.
Troubles persist at Uljanik Group
3 Maj is part of shipbuilder Uljanik Group, which is separate from Uljanik Plovida and is undergoing restructuring with investment from compatriot shipbuilder Brodosplit.
It has been hit by strikes over unpaid wages and order cancellations from a number of shipowners in recent months.
A Croatian court said on Wednesday it had appointed a temporary insolvency manager to examine whether there are grounds for opening bankruptcy proceedings against it.
Insolvency manager Damir Majstorovic will assess whether the group has sufficient assets to cover the costs of the proceedings, the commercial court in Pazin ruled.
A report is due by 25 April, with a hearing scheduled for 3 May.
