IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/ADMIRALTY SUIT NO. 15 of 2026 ==========================================================

OCEAN ENERGY LIMITED Versus MV HUI FENG HAI(IMO 1030973) & ANR.

==========================================================

Appearance:

MR DARSHANKUMAR R KABRA(11246) for the Plaintiff(s) No. 1 MS PAURAMI B. SHETH(841) for the Plaintiff(s) No. 1 ==========================================================

CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NIRAL R. MEHTA Date : 13/02/2026

ORAL ORDER

[1] Learned Advocate Mr. Darshankumar Kabra has sought permission for urgent circulation today contending inter alia that the Defendant Vessel is presently at Mundra Port for short duration and likely to sail immediately upon completion of cargo operations. Considering the urgency involved, permission for urgent circulation has been granted and present Suit is taken up for hearing today.

[2] Learned Advocate for the Plaintiff has submitted that one Oceanic Star Line Pvt. Ltd. on behalf of the Defendant Vessel and her Owners and/or Master and/or Operators and/or all person interested in the Defendant Vessel approached the Plaintiff for supply of Bunkers. In pursuance of the same, the Plaintiff issued Order Confirmation dated 25.11.2025 as per the Plaintiff’s General Terms & Conditions and thereupon made supplies of Bunkers to the Defendant Vessel at Singapore through its physical suppliers, Bunker House Petroleum Pte Ltd on 05.12.2025, that the said bunkers were accepted by the Master of the Defendant Vessel by issuing Bunker Delivery Notes dated 05.12.2025 duly signed and stamped without any protest or demur confirming acknowledging receipt of the bunkers.

[3] Learned Advocate for the Plaintiff further submitted that the Plaintiff raised Tax Invoice on 10.12.2025 on account of Defendant Vessel and her Owners and/or Master and/or Operators and/or all person interested in her and/or Oceanic Star Line Pvt Ltd for an amount of USD 165,174.57. The said invoice indicated that there is 60 days credit period from date of delivery. Ld. Advocate for the Plaintiff further submitted that the Plaintiff sent intimidation reminder vide various emails from 27.01.2026 till 09.02.2026 and the Defendant Vessel and her Owners and/or Master and/or Operators and/or all persons interested in her and/or Oceanic Star Line Pvt Ltd failed to make any payment.

[4] Learned Advocate for the Plaintiff submitted that the bunkers were supplied by the Plaintiff to the Defendant Vessel at Singapore at the faith and credit of the Defendant Vessel which was necessary for the operation, management, preservation and maintenance of the Defendant Vessel, that the bunkers were consumed and burnt in the operation of the Defendant Vessel without making payment for the same as a result the Plaintiff has suffered loss and damage in tort on account the bunker being used for which the Defendant Vessel remains liable to fulfil its commitment.

[5] Learned Advocate further submitted that the Plaintiff has maritime claim under Section 4(1)(l) of The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017 and since the Defendant Vessel is presently at Mundra Port the Defendant Vessel is required to be arrested for its maritime claim.

[6] Heard Learned Advocate, Mr. Darshankumar Kabra for the Plaintiff instructed by Ms. Paurami Sheth, Mr. Ashwin Shanker, Ms. Richa Padey Iyer and Mr. Balaji Iyer and considered the averments made in the plaint herein declared at Ahmedabad on 13.02.2026 filed by the Advocate for the Plaintiff herein and the affidavit of Mr. Raju Desai, the Authorised Representative of the Plaintiff above named affirmed on 13.02.2026 in support of the arrest. On a reading of the plaint and annexures thereto, prima facie it appears that the Plaintiff’s claim in the Plaint is in the nature of a maritime claim.

[7] Upon the Plaintiff giving an undertaking in writing to pay such sums by way of damages as this Court may award as compensation in the event of the Defenda