Indian Government in Regular Contact with Russian Embassy Over Detained Crew Members
The Indian government is maintaining regular contact with the Russian Embassy regarding the welfare and repatriation of Russian crew members aboard the detained Unity oil tanker near Paradip Port in Odisha, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
The Unity oil tanker has been detained since May following an order from the Odisha High Court in connection with a commercial dispute involving alleged unpaid bunker fuel dues. The vessel is anchored around 10 km off the coast of Paradip.
Russian Embassy Seeks Crew Repatriation
The Russian Consulate General in Kolkata has recorded the Unity as an abandonment case involving Russian seafarers, with outstanding wages and repatriation pending. According to the consulate, the employment contracts of the Russian seafarers had expired, substantial wage arrears remained outstanding, and the crew had remained on board beyond their contractual period while awaiting repatriation.
The Consulate has urged all concerned parties to complete the crew relief and repatriation process without further delay. It has also requested the Directorate General of Shipping and the Mercantile Marine Department, Kolkata, to extend necessary assistance to ensure the early repatriation of the Russian crew members and payment of their outstanding wages.
Court Hearing Scheduled for September 21
A fresh court hearing on the repatriation of the crew has been scheduled for September 21. The International Labour Organisation (ILO), through its joint ILO-International Maritime Organisation (IMO) database on abandoned seafarers, has recorded the Unity as an abandonment case involving Russian seafarers.
The MEA spokesperson emphasized that the Indian government is aware of this particular incident and is in regular touch with the Russian Embassy. “On the welfare of the Russian seafarers … this particular oil tanker is stationed close to Paradip Port in Odisha,” Jaiswal said during the MEA’s weekly press briefing in New Delhi.
The detention of the Unity was carried out pursuant to an order of the Odisha High Court, and the Indian government is taking due action regarding the repatriation of the Russian crew.
Original Article: India in regular touch with Russian Embassy over crew of detained Unity tanker: MEA – The Economic Times — Economictimes