By Andrew Kariuki
A Nairobi court has once again directed Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. to release a consignment of goods belonging to Goodlight Industries Limited, in an ongoing commercial dispute that has also raised issues of compliance with court orders.
The directive was issued in Civil Case No. E 043 of 2026 before the Milimani Commercial Court, where the court reiterated its earlier position that the cargo must be released without delay.
In its order, the court stated that “the 1st Defendant/Respondent is ordered to immediately and forthwith release the consignment goods sent by the 2nd Defendant/Respondent to the Plaintiff/Applicant vide the copy of the lost original Bill of Lading Number MEDUOV710746 as directed by this Court in its Consent Order dated 9th February, 2026.”
The case involves Goodlight Industries Limited as the Plaintiff/Applicant, Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. as the 1st Defendant/Respondent, and Shenzhen Jin Tongcan Trade Ltd. as the 2nd Defendant/Respondent.
According to documents filed in court, the consignment was shipped to Goodlight Industries under Bill of Lading Number MEDUOV710746. However, the original bill of lading was reported lost at Kariobangi South Police Post under OB Number 19/29/12/2025.
Following the reported loss, the court issued a consent order on February 9, 2026, allowing the goods to be released using a copy of the lost bill of lading pending the hearing and determination of the matter.
Despite the issuance and service of that order, the plaintiff, through its advocate Kevin Turunga Ithagi, has maintained that the shipping company has failed to comply, leading to further legal action before the court.
Goodlight Industries argues that the continued detention of the goods has caused it significant financial prejudice, including the accumulation of demurrage charges, storage fees and disruption to its commercial operations.
The latest court directive reinforces the earlier consent order and underscores the requirement for immediate compliance, as the matter proceeds for further determination on the issues in dispute.
