Cargo ship ‘arrested’ at Paradip over maintenance dues of Rs 42.7L

Kendrapada: A cargo vessel was arrested by authorities at Paradip port on Wednesday over unpaid maintenance dues of Rs 42.72 lakh, following an Orissa high court order.MV Densa Lion, a 15-year-old bulk carrier sailing under the Malta flag, was anchored at a Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT) berth.

The vessel, which is 189.9 metres long and 32.26 m wide, had docked to load a consignment of iron plates.The arrest order was issued by Justice V Narasingh of the HC’s admiralty jurisdiction on Tuesday, based on a petition filed by Waypoint Port Services Limited, an international shipping agency. The agency alleged that the vessel’s operator failed to clear payments and sought urgent action as the ship was about to depart.“The Kujang court executed the arrest warrant on Wednesday, with an executive magistrate and police detaining the vessel in the harbour area. Security at the port has been tightened,” said additional SP Smruti Ranjan Kar.The agency had asked to pay $48,399.82 (Rs 42,72,420) along with 18% annual interest. The HC, satisfied with the maintainability of the claim, held that failure to arrest the vessel would frustrate the suit.

The next hearing is scheduled for Oct 10.The arrest was made under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, allowing high courts to address maritime disputes. It is rooted in the Colonial Courts of Admiralty Acts of 1890 and 1891, and is in line with international shipping norms.Founded in Cyprus in 2014, the agency operates across major global ports, including India.