The Orissa High Court has ordered the arrest of the Jordanian vessel MV The Patron near Paradip Port following an admiralty suit filed by Singapore-based JALDHI Overseas Pte Ltd seeking recovery of $202,000 (around ₹1.81 crore).

The matter was taken up urgently by the vacation bench of Justice M S Raman after the plaintiff’s counsel expressed concern that the vessel could leave Indian waters shortly. By special notice, the court commenced the hearing at 4:45 pm on 26 December.

JALDHI Overseas initiated proceedings under Section 5 of the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, claiming that the vessel owners had breached the terms of the charter party.

The company stated that it had chartered MV The Patron to transport 75,000 metric tonnes of rock phosphate from Jordan to Paradip. However, engine failure in August 2025 reportedly caused a sharp reduction in speed, resulting in a prolonged delay.

Court records noted that the vessel’s speed dropped from the agreed 12.5 knots in ballast and 12 knots when laden to just 7.98 knots, delaying the voyage from Khor Fakkan to Paradip to approximately 21.58 days instead of the contractual 8.58 days.

This delay led to disputes over revised hire rates, bunker costs, and off-hire claims. The plaintiff claimed it had paid $182,000 under protest to ensure discharge of cargo.

The bench observed that, at the time of the hearing, MV The Patron was located around 5.95 nautical miles off Paradip.

Considering the submissions, the court determined that the case fell within the definition of a maritime claim and that the plaintiff appeared to have a genuine grievance.

Justice Raman invoked Sections 1(2), 3, and 4(1)(h) of the Admiralty Act to assume jurisdiction.

The court emphasised the urgency of the matter, saying that without an order of arrest, the plaintiff’s cause of action could be frustrated.

Consequently, it directed that the vessel be detained at Paradip Port, while clarifying that the ongoing suit would not prevent the unloading of cargo.

The case is scheduled for further hearing in the week commencing 5 January 2026.

References: Timesofindia, newindianexpress