According to the Calcutta High Court, a crude oil tanker that flies the Liberian flag will pay Rs. 88 crores for damaging Haldia oil jetty or it will face arrest.
As explained, the court had been informed that this tanker was also trying to depart from the dock to avoid its legal liabilities.
Following the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act of 2017, arresting a vessel refers to seizing it based on HC’s orders to secure any maritime claim, including vessel detainment.
The appeal also stated that the tanker had shattered the twin arms of the oil jetty, which were in charge of handling fluid-filled containers, forcing a halt to all jetty operations. The petition also states that it will take over a year to repair these.
However, the relevant tanker authorities can try to avoid the arrest if they pay the cost of importing the new jetty arms and the yearly revenue loss brought about due to the damage.
The court is going to revisit the case on 26th September 2023.
