Panama-flagged vessel released from Vietnam port after cargo damage settlement

Judge Ha Tran Duyen Anh of the People's Court of Region 1 in Gia Lai Province signed an order to release the vessel Zhi Ying Chang Shun after reviewing a request from the PetroVietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals Corporation (PVFCCo), the cargo owner, along with supporting documents.

The court said negotiations between the involved parties had concluded, and compensation for losses related to the shipment had been finalized.

The Quy Nhon Port Authority has been tasked with executing the court's release order in accordance with legal procedures.

The vessel had been detained earlier this month following a request from PVFCCo, which owns a shipment of 8,800 tonnes of ammonium sulphate transported by Zhi Ying Chang Shun under a sales contract with Samsung C&T Singapore Pte Ltd.

The ship arrived at Quy Nhon Port from China on October 1. 

During unloading, the cargo owner discovered that some of the fertilizer in hold No. 2 had been contaminated. 

On October 2, delays in sealing the hatches reportedly caused moisture exposure in holds No. 1, 2, and 3 for approximately 25 minutes.

PVFCCo estimated losses from the incident at around US$300,000 and filed a petition with the Gia Lai court on October 6, requesting the vessel's arrest to secure its maritime claim.