Oil Tanker Crew Abandoned in Bahrain

Sixteen sailors have been left to their own devices for months after their vessel MT Surya Kuber got seized in Bahrain due to unpaid debts.

The crude oil tanker was banned by a court order in February from leaving the country as its  Singapore-based owner 7Seas Ship Management failed to pay Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard (Asry) and Kanoo Shipping more than $220,000, the Gulf News Daily reports.

The ban is to be in force until the debt is paid, according to the order.

As informed, the company also owes $118, 000 in unpaid salaries to the crew.

The vessel came to Bahrain for repairs, but the ship owner failed to pay Asry for the services, prompting the shipbuilder to resort to legal action.

Asry chief executive Nils Kristian Berge told the daily that the ship managers and owners abandoned their responsibilities and legal obligations to the vessel’s crew, leaving them without basic provisions.

According to him, Asry allocated resources to assist to provide food, provisions and amenities to the stranded sailors.

World Maritime News Staff