The Nikator: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a significant maritime development, the Gujarat High Court has mandated the arrest of the bulk carrier 'Nikator' at Kandla Port due to a legal dispute concerning an alleged shortfall in cargo delivery to Nandesari Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., a pharmaceutical firm based in Vadodara. This order, issued on January 30, 2026, requires the Port Officer and Customs Authorities to detain the vessel until further instructions are provided. The court’s decision was made during an Admiralty Suit brought under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act of 2017. Justice N.R. Mehta clarified that the arrest could be averted if interested parties deposit a total of ₹2.89 crore into the court, which includes compensation for the claimed cargo deficit, customs charges, and legal fees. The proposed breakdown of the deposit encompasses ₹1,98,93,800 for the value of the alleged short delivery, ₹15,69,222 designated for customs duties and taxes, along with ₹75 lakh for legal expenses. Additionally, the amount is subject to an interest rate of 18% per annum from the suit's filing date until it is paid in full. The complaint arose when Nandesari Drugs claimed it suffered financial losses due to a short delivery of Bright Yellow Crude Sulphate, which was loaded onto the 'Nikator' at Sohar Port in Oman under three bills of lading dated January 21. The total shipped cargo was noted to be 9,800 metric tonnes, comprised of two bills covering 3,250 metric tonnes each, and a third bill accounting for 3,300 metric tonnes. However, upon arrival at the discharge port, the company discovered that shore-based measurements indicated a cargo shortfall of 407.3 metric tonnes. Following the discovery, the company reached out to the vessel's agents via email on January 28, seeking clarification regarding the shortage. This incident has positioned the vessel and its owners as being liable for what the pharmaceutical company described as a breach of contractual obligations. The Gujarat High Court has directed its Registry to communicate the arrest order to Kandla Port and Customs Authorities through email. Furthermore, the defendants have been formally notified regarding the matter, which is set to be revisited on February 6, 2026.