Padmesh Prabhune –
The Orissa High Court has ordered the sale of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV Debi on August 21, 2024, after it failed to settle dues of amounting to around Rs 7.95 crores.
The bulk carrier that was involved in a high-profile narcotics bust last year will be auctioned under Section 11(3) of the Admiralty Act, 2017, and Admiralty Rules, 2020, according to an order by Justice V. Narasingh. The court ordered the ship be sold because the owner abandoned it after its “arrest.”
According to reports, Justice V Narasingh of the Orissa high court ordered that bulk carrier, MV Debi, should be sold in accordance to rules; a ship can be auctioned if the owner abandons the vessel after its ‘arrest.’
The HC asked the court commissioner to appoint ‘Adoina Offshore Consultants Private Limited’ as surveyors as well as valuers. The firm was also asked to submit a report for ascertaining the valuation of the vessel, both for scrapping as well as for trading, as on or before September 21, 2024.
The vessel had arrived on November 29 last year, at Paradip port from Egypt via the Gresik Port in Indonesia. It was supposed to leave for Denmark with steel plates. But it was detained after the contraband worth ₹220 crore was allegedly seized from the vessel on December 1, 2023.
At least 21 crew members of the vessel, including its captain Vu Kang Dinh, are still being probed by the customs officials under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
In February this year, the Orissa high court had ordered the arrest of the bulk carrier. The arrest came after Paradip International Cargo Terminal filed an admiralty suit involving maritime claim for recovery of dues.
After the seizure, the vessel was docked at the cargo terminal, occupying a regular space. The JM Baxi group had stated before the court that though it had been sending all the invoices and notices to the owners of MV Debi in Vietnam, the dues of Rs 7.95 crore weren’t cleared. The charges include berth leasing, penalties, and legal fees.
Paradip International Cargo Terminal, operating a multipurpose terminal 10 kilometres from Paradip Port since 2016, has been unable to retrieve the dues despite repeated invoicing and reminders given to the ship’s owners in Vietnam.
MV Debi is supposed to pay berthing charges to the company. Since the cocaine seizure, the vessel has remained docked at the cargo facility, occupying valuable space.
In its submission to the High Court, JM Baxi Group highlighted the importance of selling the vessel as soon as possible, stating that any delay might risk its seaworthiness and market value.
Marex Media