Abouzar 81 and IOEC Annette, Panama flag specialised vessels owned by Iranian Governmental company, Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC) were arrested under several orders in separate admiralty actions passed by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court and Calcutta High Court for claims by Valentine Maritime (Gulf) LLC; Global (Ind) Hospitality Services Pvt. Ltd; Halani International Ltd; Arcadia Shipping Limited; Coastal Marine Construction and Engineering Limited; Ocean Diving Center Limited; Ocean Global FZCO; Jaisu Shipping Co Pvt Ltd; Global Services Middle East (FZE); and Hind Offshore Private Limited totalling to USD 99,03,078 which was negotiated and settled out of court for USD 64,82,057.

The vessels were arrested by orders of the Hon’ble Court for charter party dispute, claim for supplies, services and repairs to the vessels. Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company is a general contractor to the oil and gas industry specializing in offshore engineering, procurement, construction, pipe coating, pipe laying and installation of jackets amongst other.

All the admiralty suits filed have been withdrawn and orders of arrest of the vessels vacated by the Hon’ble Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud of the Bombay High Court and the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjib Banerjee of the Calcutta High Court. The Sheriff of Mumbai had issued a letter to the port, customs and other authorities requesting not issue port clearance or allow the vessels to sail for her outward journey has now issued its letter on December 1, 2007 to issue port clearance and allow both vessels to sail. Both the vessels will now sail out of Mumbai port on receiving port clearances and will head for Middle East sector and return back to India this month for a Government of India oil and gas exploration project.

Mr. Uttam Hathi, in-counsel and partner of LEX Nexus, Advocates and Solicitors representing IOEC and vessel interest is of the view that it makes more business sense to settle at an early stage and employing the vessels elsewhere rather than continuing a long drawn litigation. Mr. Shrikant Hathi partner of the law firm and a shipping specialist was also involved with In-counsel from the inception of its arrest, initiated all negotiation for settlement and have successfully assisted in lifting all the arrest of the vessels.

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HATHI & PARTNERS, is a partnership firm organised and registered in Mumbai, under the Indian Partnership Act. The firm is also registered with the Bombay High Court as Advocates & Solicitors and with the Bombay Incorporated Law Society as Solicitors. All partners are registered on the rolls of their respective Bar Councils to practice law while some partners are advocates on record on the rolls of the Supreme Court of India. HATHI & PARTNERS is also registered with the Income Tax department having its Pan and Tan number. HATHI & PARTNERS is an independent, full service law firm established under the laws of India accepting work from all overseas law firms, corporates, government bodies etc and all those seeking assistance from our law firm. Our aim is to provide consistently high quality advice understanding of the commercial environment in which our clients operate. We offer in-depth local knowledge and a uniquely global perspective.

The firm is structured around nine practice areas:

• Admiralty, Maritime & Shipping
• Corporate, Commercial & Contracts
• Arbitration & Litigation (Dispute Resolution)
• Projects (Oil & Gas; Infrastructure; Mining; Energy; Telecommunication)
• Entertainment, Media & Information Technology
• Banking, Finance & Capital Markets

Each area comprises industry-focused teams dedicated to delivering incisive advice.

The Asia Pacific Legal 500 has consistently ranked Shrikant Hathi as a 'Leading Individual' for shippingmatters in India. The Asia Pacific Legal 500 has recommended our law firm for Shipping, Dispute Resolution; Projects and energy.