Amid speculation of an out-of-court settlement over arrested South Korean ship OSM Arena, whose 14-member Myanmarese crew abandoned it on Tuesday, a fresh team of seafarers failed to board it for want of clarity on the supply of food, water and fuel.
ABH Marine Services, a Chennai-based ship management company run by Steamer Ship Agent A Ravichandran, said that they had already sent a quotation to the Kolkata-based LMJ International — which is in touch with the ship’s South Korean owner Shinen Bank — to provide water and fuel. “We are awaiting Bank’s response,” he said.
“We have provided two persons already. They are onboard to provide security. The other members of the crew would board it only if fresh water, food and fuel are supplied,” he said.
Ravichandran also said all legal documents of the ship had expired and the vessel has minimum safe manning.
However, LMJ International owner S K Jain told Express that Shinen Bank had approved inducting fresh crew.
“We have given clearance for fresh crew. Food, fuel and fresh water will be available on the ship,” he added.
S K Jain also said that the court battle over the ownership of the vessel is likely to end within the next 10 to 15 days following an out-of-court settlement.
Meanwhile, International Transport Workers’ Federation inspector K Sreekumar said that the ITF has extended the shore passes till April for the Myanmar crew that abandoned the ship.
“The passes got expired on Thursday and I got it extended till April 13,” added Sreekumar.
Further, he also said the crew was also in touch with the Myanmar embassy and they have agreed to provide the necesary assistance.