Orissa High Court orders repatriation of stranded MT Unity crew

The Orissa High Court has ordered the Indian government and maritime authorities to repatriate 23 crew members stranded aboard the Cameroon-flagged oil tanker MT Unity. The vessel has been anchored off Paradip since May 11 due to commercial disputes and maritime claims involving unpaid bunker fuel dues.

Justice R K Pattanaik ruled that the vessel qualifies as an ‘abandoned vessel’ under the Merchant Shipping Act because the owner failed to pay wages or provide essential provisions such as food and drinking water. The court emphasized that the crew cannot be left abandoned indefinitely while maritime claims are settled.

The crew consists of 20 Russian nationals, two Egyptians, and one Kazakhstani national. The court directed the Union government, the Shipping Master in Kolkata, and other maritime departments to arrange for the crew’s disembarkation and repatriation, preferably within three weeks. The court noted that the expenses for these arrangements may be recovered from the shipowner or liable parties.