Yesterday, the Civil Court granted Male' City Council the authority to remove vessels from mooring berths being used without settling due fees, and destroy them where appropriate. The court also ordered a private company to pay over MVR 75,000 in fees for such unpaid mooring berths.

The case was filed by the Male' City Council against private company, Sea Shuttle Maldives. The council claimed that the company had failed to settle payments in line with the agreement, and that they had refused to remove the vessels despite being notified that allocation of the mooring berths had been cancelled. Further, three of the four vessels moored at these berths had sunk, and the City Council had publicly announced and notified the company in writing to remove the vessels. Despite this, the company had failed to comply, the case reads. 

The City Council appealed to the Civil Court to rule that the council's decision to void the allocation of these mooring berths is valid, and to order the company to remove the vessels and clear the area, as well as settle the payments and fines incurred. 

The City Council also asked the court to grant them the authority to remove the vessels, clear the area, and destroy the vessels as waste if the company fails to comply within the granted window. Further, the council asked the Civil Court to order the company to cover the cost of the operations. 

The Civil Court ordered the company to pay the overdue fees set in the agreement, and MVR 75,446 in fines to the City Council within 15 days from yesterday. The court further ruled that the agreements between the council and the company are void, and ordered removal of the vessels at the mooring berths within 10 days from yesterday. 

The ruling against the company was delivered in absentia. The Civil Court ruled that if the company fails to comply within the determined period, the Male' City Council reserves the right to remove and destroy the vessels in question.