A bulk cargo vessel named the 'MV Magnet Team' (IMO: 9233507) was arrested by the Odisha Police at the Paradip Port on Tuesday, in connection with unpaid maintenance dues amounting to Rs 2.11 crore.
This follows an arrest order from the Odisha High Court for the 24-year-old vessel—sailing under the flag of Panama—which arrived from Russia on October 25 and docked at the Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT) berth.
The plaintiff, Silk Road Shipping & Chartering Ltd (a Cuttack-based shipping firm), filed a case against the Magnet Team's operating company, stating that it had defaulted on its outstanding dues.
The case was registered under Section 4(1)(h) of the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, which empowers a High Court to rule on a maritime claim against any vessel arising within its jurisdiction, as per a Live Law report.
The plaintiff has claimed an amount of Rs 2,11,82,656, in addition to interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum, till the dues have been repaid.
The ruling was ordered by Justice V. Narasingh of the High Court’s Admiralty Jurisdiction. He stated that if the vessel was not detained, the plaintiff’s claim could be frustrated and the case rendered ineffective, the report added.
According to Smurti Ranjan Kar, the Additional Superintendent of Police, Paradip, the vessel was “placed under safe arrest”.
He added that security had also been increased at the port to ensure the ship’s safety during anchorage, as per a Times of India report.
The bulk carrier will stay anchored at the Paradip Port under further orders, but the Odisha HC clarified that it was free to unload its cargo.
