launched a lawsuit against shipping businessman Klaus Glusing and his wife Heike Bendfeldt Glusing.

In a writ, filed with Bermuda's Supreme Court last week, the plaintiff is seeking $872,602.74 from the Glusings.

Glusing, reached at his Paget home yesterday, declined comment.

He is former owner of Cast Group Ltd. In 1995, Cast was bought by CP Ltd., the Canadian company with rail, shipping and hotel interests.

He is also founder of Bermuda-based Orion Maritime, a company currently in liquidation.

A spokesperson for DeGroote, chairman of the board of International Alliance Services, Inc., said he was travelling and could not be immediately reached.

On April 1, it was announced that Westbury (Bermuda) and MGD Holdings, also a Bermuda company owned by DeGroote, would be merged.

Once concluded, Westbury will be the largest International Alliance stockholder with about a 25 percent stake. Wayne Huizenga will hold 15 percent of International Alliance, a niche insurer which also has environmental services.

Huizenga, founder of Blockbuster Entertainment, chairman of Republic Industries and owns the Florida Panthers, Florida Marlins and the Miami Dolphins.

SHIPPING SHI COURTS CTS