An executive for Navig8 says the company's dry-bulk pool will vigorously defend itself against a series of lawsuits filed by Eagle Bulk Shipping.

The response from commercial director Jason Klopfer comes after New York-based Eagle Bulk filed asset-seizure lawsuits in four federal courts alleging that the Navig8 Bulk Pool failed to distribute funds.

The filings by 14 shipowning affiliates of Eagle Bulk are seeking $1.42m