MMLS Arrests Princess K at Egyptian Port

On September 30, 2014, Mamdouh Maritime Legal Solutions (MMLS) Executive Director, Said Mamdouh, in coordination with the Egyptian Navy, the Coast Guard, Port Police, and the Red Sea Court, made its second arrest at Gabal el Zeit Port this year.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flagged M/V Princess K, owned by Princess K Shipping Company Limited, became the subject of a Red Sea Court arrest for outstanding debts owed to Omega Bunker SRL, Venice, Italy.

In a simultaneous turn of events, an arrest order for Princess K was issued by the Court of Suez on September 2, 2014, at the same time that the Port of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia bound vessel left Suez under tug, due to a rudder malfunction.

Tracking services indicated that the Ships & Boats Oil Services tugs, Sea Lady and Sea Thunder, were delivering Princess K to the Red Sea Port of Gabal el Zeit for repairs, and a subsequent arrest order was issued by the Red Sea Court on September 8, 2014.

Mamdouh, commissioned by Omega to facilitate execution of the Red Sea Court arrest order, was accompanied by court representatives, Mr. Mubarak Sabri and Mr. Tamer Omair on Tuesday to Gabal el Zeit, where they successfully boarded and processed the arrest of Princess K.

"Weather conditions were less than optimal with wind gusts between 30/38 km/h. We extend our highest regards and appreciation to the Captains and crews of the pilot boat, and the tugs, Sea Lady and Sea Thunder, for their excellent seamanship.

Ships & Boats Oil Services was not informed of the Suez arrest order, so they were doing their job bluffed from the owner of M/V Princess K. However, the new order from Red Sea Court, supported with the Egyptian Navy, put Princess K under detention until the procedure was completed under the rules of Egyptian Law," stated Mamdouh.

MMLS extends its sincerest appreciation to Chief Admiral Osama El-Gendi of the Egyptian Navy and all his men for their support.

Meanwhile, subsequent arrest orders obtained by MMLS on behalf of additional debit holders were also issued by the Red Sea Court.

Princess K remains under detention at Port Gabal el Zeit.

A settlement was reached in another MMLS vessel arrest at Gabal el Zeit earlier this year, as reported by The Maritime Executive.