Maritime liens can attach to a ship despite ownership changes, but claimants must prove supply and contractual relationships clearly.

1. This suit has been filed for payment of Rs. 3,65,103.50 with interest at 18% p.a. from the date thereof till the date of payment in full and for arrest and sale of the vessel m.v. Makar (Formerly m.v. Eagle II) in the Port of Vizag all its gears, tools, tackles, hinders, machinery, apparel, plant, furniture and paraphernalia towards the suit claim, interest and for costs.

2. Plaint averments are as follows :
The plaintiff was carrying on business as Ship Chandler. The headquarters of the business of the plaintiff is at Madras. On 25-1-96, the plaintiff received orders at Madras for supply of ship stores and provisions to the vessel m.v. Eagle II then, due to call at Port at Vizag. For the said order the plaintiff arranged for supply to the vessel at the Port of Vizag shop stores and provisions between 27-1-96 and 3-2-96 for a total value of US $ 8416.60. The plaintiff requested the defendant to remit the said amount in his account with the Standard Chartered Bank, Mylapore Branch, Madras 5. The defendant had promised to make payment but failed and neglected to do so. The interest for the said amount is payable at 18% per annum as per the terms of supply. The defendant is now due and payable to the plaintiff a sum of US $ 8416.60 towards principal and US $ 1725.15 towards interest aggregating to a sum of US $ 10141.75 equivalent to Rs. 3,65,103.50. The name of the ship m.v. Eagle II has now been changed to M.V. Makar by the defendant and the very same vessel is now due to call at the Port of Vizag on 23-3-97 as per Vizag's Port's Steamer Movements Bullettin issued on 18-3-97. The defendant had changed the name of the ship to hoodwink the creditors. The plaintiff wants the vessel to be arrested to recover his dues. Hence the present suit.

3. In the written statement filed by the defendant, it is contended that the vessel m.v. Makar (which was earlier known as m.v. Eagle II) is presently owned by M/s. Permana Shipping Company, Limassol, Cyprus. Under a Memorandum of Agreement dated 14-6-1996, the said M/s. Permana Shiping Company, Limassol, Cyprus, purchased the vessel from M/s. Belgica company Limited, free from all encumbrances, maritime liens and any other debts whatsoever, and a bill of sale dated 19-6-96 was issued by M/s. Belgica Company Ltd. that the sale was free of all encumbrances, mortgages, maritime liens and any other debts whatsoever. After such purchase the vessel m.v. Eagle II was renamed as m.v. Makar. The defendant denies that the plaintiff is entitled to claim interest at 18% per annum and a sum of US $ 8416.60 towards principal and US $ 1725.15 towards interest are due and payable by the defendant to the plaintiff. The defendants are not liable to pay any amount since the supplies were made prior to the purchase of the vessel by the said M/s. Permana Shipping Company. The sellers of the vessel M/s. Belgica Company Limited had also clearly stated that they would settle all liabilities and other outstandings incurred prior to the delivery of the vessel, and the purchase of the vessel by M/s. Permana Shipping Company has been duly registered with the Councillor of Maritime Affairs. Republic of Cyprus on 27-6-96 and at the time of the purchase of the said vessel the name was changed, and they also denied the statement that the name of the ship has been changed only to defraud the creditors and to hoodwink them as alleged by the plaintiff. It is denied that the plaintiff will not be able to recover the dues unless the vessel was arrested. The plaintiff's action for arrest of the vessel is not in accordance with law and the plaintiff has no claim at all