Two Ships Arrested in India Over Unpaid Bunker Claims

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Friday August 22, 2014

Two bunker suppliers have had two bulk carriers arrested in India over unpaid debt said to be $750,000, with one remaining in custody, industry news site TradeWinds reports.

A Gujarat High Court judge ordered the arrest of the 56,800 deadweight tonne (dwt) Bao Flourish at Mundhra port on the west coast of India after a request by Monjasa AS (Monjasa).

The ship's owner, HTM Shipping of China, was told to deposit $695,054 as security with the court, and the case is expected to be heard next week.

In the second case, Ocean Hope, a 29,500 dwt vessel owned by Oldendorff Carriers, was arrested after a complaint by Glandar International Bunkering seeking $54,431.

The ship was held for three days but freed following an out-of-court settlement reached August 14.

Indian courts are said to be supportive of international companies seeking repayment from shipowners, with a number of arrests taking place there over the past year.