Water, fuel, food supply delay entry of fresh crew onboard OSM Arena

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The supply of fresh water and fuel is delaying the entry of fresh crew onboard ‘arrested’ South Korean vessel OSM Arena after it was abandoned by 14 Myanmar seafarers on Tuesday.

Chief executive officer of  ABH Marine Services, a  Chennai-based ship management company under Steamer Ship Agent A Ravichandran said that they have sent a quotation to Kolkata based LMJ International, which is in touch with the South Korean owner Shinen Bank to provide water and fuel and are awaiting a response from their end.

“We have provided two people on security watch and the seafarers would be onboard only if the fresh water, food and fuel is supplied to the crew,” he said.

Ravichandran said that all the legal documents of ship has expired and the vessel has minimum safe manning.

On Thursday port officials said that it is likely that the fresh crew would board the vessel on Thursday.

LMJ International owner S K Jain told Express that Shinen Bank has approved for fresh crew. “We have given clearance to have the crew immediately in the ship. The food, fuel and fresh water will be available on the ship,” he added.

He also said that the court battle over the ownership of the vessel is likely to end within the next 10 to 15 days following out of court settlement.

Meanwhile, International Transport Workers' Federation inspector K Sreekumar said that ITF has extended the shore passes till April for the Myanmar crew that abandoned the ship following safety concerns. “The passes got expired on Thursday and I got it extended till April 13^th,” said Sreekumar.

He said the crew is also in touch with the Myanmar embassy and they have agreed to provide them with any help.