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The Orissa High Court ordered the sale of 'Debi', which had arrived at Paradip Port on Nov 23, 2023, and was destined for Denmark. On Dec 1, the shipr was seized by the customs officials after discovering 22.2 kilograms of cocaine aboard. The Orissa High Court ordered the sale of the bulk carrier not for its involvement in the drug bust case, but after the ship owner, the Asia Pacific Shipping Company, Vietnam, failed to clear the due related to berthing charges and penalties to the Paradip International Container Terminal (PITC). In Feb 2024, the Orissa High Court allowed the ship to return to its owner only if the company provided a bank guarantee and an indemnity bond. Following this, the PITC charged the shipping company nearly $947,000 for overstay docking. The shipping company argued in court, stating that the vessel was subject to pay docking fees only upto the time before it was seized by customs officials in the drug case investigation. The company also claimed the vessel had overstayed because of the authorities' investigation, which was not under their control. However, the PITC claim was found valid, and the court ordered the arrest of the ship on Feb 23. On Aug 20, the PITC came back seeking permission from the court to sell the ship, stating the shipping company had failed to pay the bills or provide any security. PITC further noted that with time, docking fees were piling up for the vessel. Moreover, the vessel was deteriorating, and the value was decreasing. The court ordered the vessel to be sold after the survey reports determined its value. The details of the sale will be provided after the survey report, which is expected to be available to the court in September.

The 'Hebridean Isles' will leave CalMac’s fleet in Nov 2024 after almost four decades of operation, as she would require a significant programme of work in overhaul. Given her age and general condition, significant works had already been identified for overhaul were she to enter it. This, plus the requirement for a mandatory five-year survey, means the vessel would have spent a large period in drydock, certainly missing the bulk of the winter timetable.. The 'Hebridean Isles'’ certification expires on Nov 21, so the ship will be removed from service by that date. CalMac expect her to exit active service in mid-November, allowing time to travel to a recycling facility before her certification expires. The vessel, which is one of the oldest in the CalMac fleet, has served west coast communities with distinction since her maiden voyage in December 1985. She has primarily served Islay in recent years. The first of four new major vessels being built in Turkey, Isle of Islay, will operate the route when she enters service later this year. A second vessel, the 'Loch Indaal', will serve Islay from early 2025. Works are ongoing to upgrade Kennacraig port on the mainland, and Port Askaig on Islay, in preparation for the new vessels arriving. They will increase vehicle and freight capacity on the route by almost 40 %. Photo by Mark Nicolson

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