SHC allows Chinese ship to leave Karachi port

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Monday ordered release of a Chinese vessel earlier held for not paying charges of fuel supplied to the ship by a local company.

A lawsuit was filed by M/s Orion Bunkers Private Limited invoking Admiralty Jurisdiction of SHC for recovery of fuel charges. Plaintiff’s counsel, advocates Nisar A Mujahid and Omair Nisar, submitted that M V Tarlan of New Ship Trade Company of China was supplied 47.3 Metric Ton marine fuel worth 42,886.50 US dollars on October 19, 2021 on general terms and conditions of sale.

The invoice was issued on the same day after delivery of the fuel was evidenced through bunker delivery note, the plaintiff submitted adding that as per the supply contract the ship’s owner/agent had to make the payment within 14 days of supply.

However, according to the plaintiff, the ship’s owner/agent failed to make payment despite sending a number of reminders through email and WhatsApp also. The plaintiffs had on November 26, claimed a payment of $152,860 in lieu of fuel charges, bunker charges and interest.

According plaintiff counsel, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi who had on November 26 issued order for detaining the ship anchored at Karachi Port, ordered ship’s release on Monday after its owner/agent satisfied up-to-date claim of the plaintiff.