The delay in getting the tanker released from Iran can worsen the situation for SCI, causing revenue loss of $30,000-35,000 a day.
MUMBAI, AUG. 27: The crew on board Indian oil tanker Desh Shanti, which has been in the custody of Iranian maritime authorities for more than a fortnight now, is facing a hostage like situation, according to seamens unions here. The unions are seeking government intervention to get the ship released immediately.
There are 32 seafarers including 13 officers on board the vessel, which has been detained by Iranian guards at Bandar Abbas port since August 13, for allegedly causing oil pollution.
The men on board are under severe mental stress as their communication is being monitored. The Iranian guards fear the crew may destroy evidence on board, said Abdulgani Serang, General Secretary of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI). The crew is in a situation like hostages during a piracy attack, he said.
The Maritime Union of India, another union representing officers, has sought help from the External Affairs Minister to release the ship. It said the condition of the crew was traumatic and suicidal.
The unions have threatened that if the government fails to get the ship released immediately, they will be forced to go on an agitation on all SCI (Shipping Corporation of India) ships. An SCI official said the situation was being monitored regularly. There was enough food and provision on the board. The crew was allowed to communicate with their families, the official said.
REVENUE LOSS
Meanwhile, many in shipping circles here believe it is government apathy that is delaying the release of the ship. Iran is a friendly country and the government should take up the issue with Teheran at the highest level, said an official with a private shipping company.
The delay could only worsen the situation for SCI. The revenue loss for the ship could be in the range of $30,000-35,000 a day, said the official.
The vessel, a Suezmax double hull tanker, was on it way back to India after loading crude from Iraq for HPCL, when it was intercepted by Iranian guards.
Iran has demanded a $1-million letter of guarantee for releasing the ship, which India refused to provide on the ground that there is no evidence on the vessel causing pollution.
According to Indian maritime administration officials, despite technical clearance from the Indian classification society, IRS and the protection and indemnity insurance club, Iran has refused to budge.
The Union Shipping Ministry took up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs. Subsequently, the Indian ambassador in Iran visited the vessel to assess the situation on board.
It
MUMBAI, AUG. 27: The crew on board Indian oil tanker Desh Shanti, which has been in the custody of Iranian maritime authorities for more than a fortnight now, is facing a hostage like situation, according to seamens unions here. The unions are seeking government intervention to get the ship released immediately.
There are 32 seafarers including 13 officers on board the vessel, which has been detained by Iranian guards at Bandar Abbas port since August 13, for allegedly causing oil pollution.
The men on board are under severe mental stress as their communication is being monitored. The Iranian guards fear the crew may destroy evidence on board, said Abdulgani Serang, General Secretary of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI). The crew is in a situation like hostages during a piracy attack, he said.
The Maritime Union of India, another union representing officers, has sought help from the External Affairs Minister to release the ship. It said the condition of the crew was traumatic and suicidal.
The unions have threatened that if the government fails to get the ship released immediately, they will be forced to go on an agitation on all SCI (Shipping Corporation of India) ships. An SCI official said the situation was being monitored regularly. There was enough food and provision on the board. The crew was allowed to communicate with their families, the official said.
REVENUE LOSS
Meanwhile, many in shipping circles here believe it is government apathy that is delaying the release of the ship. Iran is a friendly country and the government should take up the issue with Teheran at the highest level, said an official with a private shipping company.
The delay could only worsen the situation for SCI. The revenue loss for the ship could be in the range of $30,000-35,000 a day, said the official.
The vessel, a Suezmax double hull tanker, was on it way back to India after loading crude from Iraq for HPCL, when it was intercepted by Iranian guards.
Iran has demanded a $1-million letter of guarantee for releasing the ship, which India refused to provide on the ground that there is no evidence on the vessel causing pollution.
According to Indian maritime administration officials, despite technical clearance from the Indian classification society, IRS and the protection and indemnity insurance club, Iran has refused to budge.
The Union Shipping Ministry took up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs. Subsequently, the Indian ambassador in Iran visited the vessel to assess the situation on board.
It
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