Cotemar Seeks to Freeze $60M in ABS Subsidiary Assets in Escalating Legal Battle

## Cotemar Moves to Freeze ABS Subsidiary Assets in High-Stakes Legal Showdown A long-running financial dispute between Mexico-based offshore services company Cotemar and ABSG Consulting, a subsidiary of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), has entered a critical new phase, with Cotemar now seeking court intervention to restrict access to nearly $60 million in assets. According to Offshore Energy, Cotemar has filed a motion with the New York State Supreme Court to freeze the assets of ABSG Consulting — a U.S. government contractor and consulting arm of one of the world's most prominent classification societies. The move signals a significant escalation in what has become one of the more closely watched legal confrontations in the offshore sector. ### Background and Significance ABS, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading international classification society providing technical and regulatory services to the maritime and offshore industries. Its consulting subsidiary, ABSG Consulting, operates across risk management, engineering, and government advisory services. The precise origins of the financial standoff between Cotemar and ABSG Consulting have not been fully disclosed in public filings, but the decision to pursue asset-freezing measures in a U.S. state court suggests Cotemar is seeking to secure any potential future award before litigation concludes. Asset-freezing injunctions of this scale are relatively uncommon in maritime and offshore commercial disputes and typically require the petitioning party to demonstrate both a strong underlying claim and a credible risk that assets may be dissipated or moved beyond reach. ### Industry Implications The case carries broader implications for the offshore services sector, where classification societies and their affiliated entities play a central role in vessel certification, regulatory compliance, and technical consulting. Any significant judgment against an ABS subsidiary could draw scrutiny to the contractual and liability frameworks governing relationships between classification bodies and their clients. Cotemar, which provides offshore accommodation, construction, and marine services primarily in Mexico's Gulf of Mexico operations, has been an active player in supporting Pemex and other energy operators in the region. The proceedings are ongoing, and no judgment has been issued. Both parties are expected to present arguments before the New York State Supreme Court in the coming weeks. Industry observers will be watching closely given the sums involved and the reputational stakes for both organisations. *Source: Offshore Energy*