Propel-Fortune

The Orissa High Court has ordered the release of the 'Propel Fortune' one day after its arrest it at the Paradip Port on Dec 30, 2024, where it had arrived on Dec 28. It had been arrested for a non-payment of dues against supply of necessaries. The Court agreed to release the vessel after it offered to draw a demand draft of Rs.15,56,100/- in favour of the Registrar (Judicial) of the Court. The ship sailed from the port on Dec 31 and berthed in Damrah on Jan 1, 2025. The dues for provisions and services were held by the court in an interest-bearing account until a final resolution for the litigation case has been reached. If the judgment goes in the favour of MH Bland SL, they would receive the amount, otherwise the funds would be returned to the 'Propel Fortune'. The case has been set to be reviewed further on Jan 6.

The 'Propel Fortune', en route from Dhamra and sailing 50 nautical miles southeast of Aden in Yemen, was attacked by the Houthis on March 8, 2024. Fortunately, the ship and crew were safe. The ship's captain reported two explosions in front of the ship. The captain also stated that the ship suffered no damage and would continue the voyage to the next port. The Houthis targeted the vessel and a number of U.S. war destroyers at the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with 37 drones. The U.S. military and coalition forces downed at least 28 UAVs over the Red Sea in the early hours of March 9. No U.S. or Coalition Navy vessels were damaged in the attack and there were also no reports by commercial ships of damage.