BUKA, Papua New Guinea -- A landowner company has seized two forklifts from a cargo barge, claiming the ship's owners owe it K84,000 (USD22,000) in stevedoring, berthing and cargo handling charges.

Katsin Brothers employees detained the MV Victoria, owned by Bismark Maritime Ltd, allowing it to leave only after removing the forklifts. Bismark managing director Hamish Sharp told the PNG Post-Courier that "criminals" had detained and threatened to burn the ship, promising bodily harm to crew if they attempted to leave.

Buka Police were notified of the incident, but said it was a commercial dispute and they were powerless.