HC orders ‘cocaine’ ship sale to recover ₹7.9cr dues

Cuttack: Orissa high court has ordered the sale of a cargo ship anchored at Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT), which was ‘arrested’ following its order six months back for recovery of Rs 7.95 crore in dues.
Admiralty judge Justice V Narasingh on Tuesday ordered the sale of the bulk carrier, MV Devi, on PICT’s admiralty suit involving maritime claim for berth hire and penalty charges.
In an interim order, Justice Narasingh had ordered the arrest of the cargo ship on Feb 23. While the admiralty suit was pending, PICT informed the court that since the arrest of the vessel, the expenses are mounting.
Each day’s delay is contributing to increasing the claim of PICT and steps for sale of the vessel needs to be undertaken since its value is depreciating by each passing day. On account of the ship remaining idle under arrest, any further delay would affect the seaworthiness of the vessel and also adversely impact the price that vessel is capable of fetching to make good the claims of PICT and further creditors of the MV Devi, it was further submitted.
Taking note of it, Justice Narasingh modified the order issued on Feb 23 and ordered the immediate sale of the ship.
While issuing the order in terms of Section 11(3) of the Admiralty Act, 2017 and Admiralty Rules, 2020, Justice Narasingh directed the deputy registrar (judicial) to act as the court commissioner till the sale of the vessel.