Indian court orders repatriation of detained Unity tanker's crew
In short
An Indian court ordered authorities to arrange the return home of the 23 sailors aboard the detained tanker Unity and replace the crew, Russian outlets reported. The order calls for action as soon as possible, preferably within three weeks of receipt of the ruling.
Read the full story 1 min read
A court in India ordered local authorities to arrange the repatriation of the crew of the detained tanker Unity as soon as possible, preferably within three weeks of receiving the decision, RBC and Kommersant reported. RBC said the order also required arrangements to replace the crew. It reported that 23 sailors remained aboard the vessel near the port of Paradip. [ 1 , 3 ]
Kommersant said the decision came from the High Court in Odisha. The court found that the seafarers had been abandoned by the shipowner under India's merchant shipping law, according to the report. It said the owner had failed to pay wages, provide necessary supplies, or arrange a crew change or repatriation. [ 3 ]
TASS reported that 20 Russians were to be repatriated from the detained tanker. Kommersant said the 23 people aboard also included one citizen of Kazakhstan and two citizens of Egypt. In a later report, TASS cited Russia's consulate general in Kolkata as saying that the court had issued its decision on October 6. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The Cameroon-flagged Unity arrived at Paradip on May 9 carrying Russian oil, Kommersant reported. Two days later, the Odisha High Court ordered its detention over financial claims against the owner. The dispute concerned fuel supplied to the vessel by Tresta International FZE, which alleged that it had received only part of the money owed. [ 3 ]
The supplier demanded $423,800 for the deliveries, including interest and expenses, Kommersant reported. The court's repatriation ruling addressed the crew's situation aboard the vessel, including the shipowner's failure to arrange their return home or replacement. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The court found that the shipowner had failed to pay wages, provide necessary supplies or arrange crew replacement or repatriation, according to Kommersant. The ruling gives authorities responsibility for arranging the sailors' return while the tanker remains detained.
Key facts
- The court ordered authorities to arrange repatriation, preferably within three weeks of receiving its ruling. [ 1 , 3 ]
- There are 23 sailors aboard Unity. [ 1 , 3 ]
- TASS reported that the crew includes 20 Russians. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reported that the crew also includes one Kazakh citizen and two Egyptians. [ 3 ]
- Russia's consulate general in Kolkata said the ruling was made on October 6, TASS reported. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When the sailors will actually leave the vessel is not specified. The reports describe a preferred implementation period rather than a confirmed departure date.