Russian tanker carrying crude oil for IOCL seized at Paradip Port over non-payment of dues

Sources said the vessel, MT Unity, had received a supply of bunker oil from Tresta International FZE on credit terms of up to 30 days.

Image used for representational purposes only. (Photo | ANI, FILE)

PARADIP: Acting on the direction of the Orissa High Court, Paradip police seized a Russian crude oil tanker berthed at Paradip Port over alleged non-payment of pending dues. The vessel had berthed at the port to unload crude oil for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).

The Russian-flagged vessel MT Unity was arrested by police in the presence of the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) of Kujang.

Sources said the vessel, owned by FMTC Ship Charter LLC, had received a supply of bunker oil from Tresta International FZE on credit terms of up to 30 days, as agreed under a personal guarantee letter issued for the supply.

According to the complaint filed by Tresta International FZE, the vessel received very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) on January 20, and an invoice was issued on January 21 with payment due by February 20.

Although part payments were reportedly made, an outstanding amount of around Rs 4 crore remains unpaid against the principal claim of USD 369,750. Including interest and other costs, the total claim has risen to USD 423,832.

The plaintiff had sought an ex parte ad interim order for the arrest of the vessel, MT Unity, along with its appurtenances, plant and machinery lying at Paradip Port during the pendency of the suit. It also sought time to deposit the deficit court fee amounting to Rs 11,11,935.

After considering the submissions and documents placed on record, Justice RK Pattanaik of the Orissa High Court directed the arrest of the vessel as an interim measure, observing that failure to do so could frustrate the very purpose of the suit filed by the plaintiff.

The High Court issued notice to the defendant through email and courier and granted liberty to the plaintiff to serve a copy of the order along with a letter from the Marshal of the Court, as defined under Rule 2 of the Admiralty Rules of the Odisha High Court, 1981.

IIC of Paradip Model Police Station Babita Dehury said police seized the vessel at the Single Point Mooring in Paradip Port on Tuesday in the presence of the JMFC, Kujang, following the High Court’s direction.