An Egyptian cargo ship has been detained at Paradip Port in India over outstanding debt to a German company. The Egyptian vessel MV Wadi Albostan has been detained at Paradip Port in Odisha on the order of the Odisha High Court.
The arrest was carried out on August 14, 2024, arising from a legal dispute over an outstanding debt of Rs 396 crore. That was owed to German company Elboil GmBH for supplying low-sulfur marine diesel.
The vessel, carrying 55,000 tonnes of iron ore to China, arrived at Paradip Port in India on August 6, 2024.
However, Elboil GmbH took legal action and filed a case in the Odisha High Court, demanding payment of $477,326.86 (equivalent to Rs 3.96 lakh) to supply 98,599 tonnes of ultra-low-carbon fuel oil.
Egyptian Cargo Ship Detained at India’s Paradip Port Over Unpaid Debt to German Compan
The court found sufficient evidence to support the plaintiff’s claim and ordered the vessel to be detained to prevent it from leaving the port.
Furthermore, Narasinghe, as Admiralty Judge, appointed Civil Judge (Supreme Court) Kojang as bailiff to execute the arrest warrant.
The arrest was carried out in the presence of local police. The Paradip Port Authority was directed to assist with the operation. The report will be notified to the Odisha High Court Judicial Registrar within seven days of the arrest.
The ship seizure is the third incident at Paradip Port in the past four months. Also highlights the growing litigation over maritime issues in the region.
The MV Wadi Albostan will remain detained at Paradip Port until further notice from the court. However, SP Rahul PR confirmed the arrest and said all actions complied with the Supreme Court order.
