Orissa High Court directs immediate release of arrested Singaporean cargo ship from Paradip Port

The Orissa High Court has directed the immediate release of the Singaporean cargo ship ‘MV Propel Fortune’ which was arrested over a monetary dispute. The top court has ordered the release on the condition of submitting a bank draft of Rs 15.56 lakh.

Ship Chandler MH Bland SL had raised the dispute before the vacation court alleging non-payment by MV Propel Fortune for supply for a wide range of provisioning, maintenance and services for the vessel at the Paradip Port.

Hearing the case, vacation judge MS Raman had directed for the arrest of the cargo ship as it was set to leave the port. However, the top court later directed its release after considering the submission of MV Propel Fortune’s counsel.

“In the event the demand draft of Rs 15,56,100 drawn in favour of the Registrar (Judicial) of High Court of Orissa, Cuttack is furnished by the defendant before the Registry today on proper acknowledgement, the defendant vessel, MV Propel Fortune shall be released forthwith from arrest and would be free to sail out of Paradip Port,” Justice Raman said.

He also directed to list the matter in the week commencing January 6 before the assigned jurisdictional court.