High Court Orders Urgent Discharge of LPG Cargo Amid Safety Risks
Mumbai, August 14, 2026: In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has directed the urgent discharge of 1,880.26 metric tonnes of highly inflammable LPG from the arrested vessel LPG Amir Gas at Jaigarh Port in Ratnagiri, citing serious safety defects that pose a potential risk to human life, port infrastructure, and the environment.
Critical Safety Defects Found on the Vessel
The court was informed that the LPG requires continuous cooling, but an inspection by the Directorate General of Shipping on August 5 revealed several critical defects. These include a non-functional main cargo cooling pump, an inoperative water sprinkler firefighting system and sprinkler pumps, and a non-operational inert gas system. The vessel’s protection and indemnity insurance had also expired, further exacerbating the risks.
Safety Risks and Consequences
Senior Advocate Prashant Pratap, appearing for the port, submitted that failure to maintain the cargo temperature could result in an explosion, endangering the crew and causing extensive damage to the vessel, port facilities, other ships, and the surrounding environment. The court was told that an explosion could potentially cause damage within a radius of 5 to 10 km, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Security Deposit Condition for Discharge
Considering the “exigent circumstances,” the court ruled that any party depositing AED 34,78,481 as security could have the LPG cargo discharged in its favour. The plaintiff agreed to deposit the amount, after which it was permitted to proceed with the discharge. The court also directed Customs to facilitate the discharge and ordered the plaintiff to supply at least 50 MT of marine gas oil and 10 kilolitres of lube oil.
Emergency Repairs and Disaster Preparedness
Emergency repairs identified in the DG Shipping inspection report were also ordered to be carried out until the cargo was completely discharged. Importantly, the court made it clear that if the security amount is not deposited, the permission to discharge the LPG would not take effect. However, given the danger posed by the cargo, the DG Shipping, National, State, and District Disaster Management Authorities were directed to plan and prepare for a safe discharge even if no amount is deposited, so as to avert a possible disaster or catastrophe arising from leakage.
Directions to Vessel Owner
The court also directed the vessel owner to provide adequate food and fresh water to the crew and obtain P&I insurance within a week. The arrest of the vessel will continue even after the LPG cargo is discharged. The court’s directives aim to ensure the safe discharge of the LPG cargo and prevent any potential disaster or catastrophe.
A Step Towards Safety
The Bombay High Court’s order is a step towards ensuring the safety of all stakeholders involved, including the crew, port authorities, and the surrounding environment. The court’s proactive approach in addressing the safety risks highlights the importance of prioritizing safety in such situations. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the authorities and the vessel owner will work together to ensure a safe and successful discharge of the LPG cargo.