Port, Guam Shipyard weigh settlement in $55M suit over floating cranes

The Port Authority of Guam and Guam Shipyard are exploring a settlement in a $55 million lawsuit stemming from damage allegedly caused by the shipyard’s floating cranes during Typhoon Mawar in 2023. The Port alleges the cranes broke loose and damaged Golf Pier and a seaplane ramp, while Guam Shipyard contends the eviction proceedings were used to bypass complex lease issues. Both parties have requested extensions to continue settlement discussions, and the eviction case is currently before the Supreme Court of Guam. A key issue in the settlement is finding a location to dock the cranes, with Naval Base Guam being considered due to its shipyard asset needs. Guam Shipyard believes removing the cranes is necessary to properly assess the damage to the Port’s property and has requested a 60-day extension for discovery. The court has granted the extension and requested an update on talks with the Navy by February 20th. The Hotel Wharf area, formerly occupied by Guam Shipyard, has been leased to Black Construction Corp. for staging related to the $571 million Glass Breakwater repair project.

(Source：Guam Daily News)