Shanghai Maritime Court has ordered the owner of the crude oil tanker Amba Bhakti to pay USD 110,000 to the vessel’s crew, local media report.

The five crewmembers, three from India and two from Bangladesh, had not been paid since February and their employer, India-based shipping company Varun Shipping was said to be “out of contact”.

On September 27, 2016, Shanghai Maritime Court seized the 106,100 dwt ship anchored in the Changxing Island Wharf, after the crew filed a pre-litigation preservation application with the court, asking it to detain the vessel.

After about seven weeks, the court found the shipowner who promised to pay the workers and offered a compensation of USD 5,000.

Following this, the sailors gave up a proposed lawsuit and the court released the 1997-built ship.

The five men reportedly received their salaries and the compensation.

World Maritime News Staff