Indian Government in Regular Touch with Russian Embassy over Detained Unity Tanker Crew
India is actively engaged with the Russian Embassy to ensure the welfare and repatriation of Russian crew members aboard the detained Cameroon-flagged oil tanker, Unity, near Paradip Port in Odisha. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made this announcement on Friday.
According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the tanker is currently anchored around 10 km off the coast of Paradip and has been under detention since May following an order from the Odisha High Court. The court’s decision was taken in connection with a commercial dispute involving alleged unpaid bunker fuel dues.
Russian Embassy Seeking 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. The consulate stated that the employment contracts of the Russian crew members had expired, substantial wage arrears remained outstanding, and the crew had remained on board beyond their contractual period while awaiting repatriation.
The Consulate General 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. A fresh court hearing on the repatriation of the crew has been scheduled for September 21.
International Labour Organisation’s Involvement
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. The database says the vessel was under arrest at Paradip, with outstanding wages and repatriation pending.
The ILO has issued guidelines for dealing with cases of seafarer abandonment, including the need for port States, flag States, and States of which seafarers are nationals to address such cases and safeguard the rights and welfare of abandoned seafarers. The IMO had also forwarded an urgent request on July 16 to concerned member States to take appropriate action regarding the Unity case.
MEA’s Press Briefing
During the MEA’s weekly press briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal stated that India is aware of the incident and has been in regular touch with the Russian Embassy. He added that the detention of the tanker was carried out pursuant to an order of the Odisha High Court, and the repatriation of the Russian crew is being taken care of.
The MEA’s efforts to facilitate the repatriation of the Russian crew members are a testament to India’s commitment to upholding international norms and protecting the rights of seafarers.
Original Article: India in regular touch with Russian Embassy over crew of detained Unity tanker: MEA — Tribuneindia