Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Orissa High Court Orders Repatriation of Abandoned Tanker Crew
A ship called MT Unity has been anchored near Paradip since May.
Its crew said the ship’s owner had not paid them or provided enough supplies.
The ship’s Russian captain asked the Orissa High Court for help.
On October 6, the court told authorities to take the crew off the ship and send them back to their countries, preferably within three weeks.
The crew includes people from Russia, Egypt and Kazakhstan.
The ship is still under arrest because of legal claims against its owner.
The insurer later provided supplies and paid the crew’s overdue wages.
The court said the costs of sending the crew home may be recovered from parties found responsible.
The Orissa High Court directed authorities to disembark MT Unity’s crew and repatriate them, preferably within three weeks.
The order was issued October 6 by Justice R K Pattanaik in a petition filed by the ship’s Russian master.
The tanker has been anchored off Paradip since May 11 and remains under arrest in three admiralty suits.
The master and 22 other seafarers were aboard; the Russian Consulate said 20 are Russian, two Egyptian and one Kazakhstani.
The court found the owner had failed to pay wages, provide supplies or arrange the crew’s return; the insurer later supplied provisions and cleared wage arrears.
- Who
- The master and 22 other seafarers aboard MT Unity, and the authorities directed by the Orissa High Court.
- What
- The court ordered the crew to be disembarked and repatriated, preferably within three weeks.
- When
- The direction was issued on October 6; the tanker had been anchored off Paradip since May 11.
- Where
- Off Paradip port, Odisha, India.
- Why
- The court held that the crew had been abandoned by the shipowner, who had failed to pay wages, provide provisions or arrange their return.
Crew’s account and court finding
Owner or responsible parties
Crew abandonment and repatriation
Crew’s account and court finding
The master said the crew had gone unpaid since May, essential supplies were dwindling, and neither the owner nor local agent addressed their situation. The court held that the owner had abandoned the seafarers and ordered authorities to arrange their return.
Owner or responsible parties
The articles report no response from the owner or local agent. The court said repatriation expenses may be recovered from the owner or other parties found liable.
Wages and supplies
Crew’s account and court finding
The petition described unpaid wages and dwindling food, drinking water and other essentials.
Owner or responsible parties
The vessel’s insurer subsequently supplied provisions and cleared the wage arrears.
- Vessel
- MT Unity, a Cameroon-flagged foreign oil tanker
- Crew
- The master and 22 other seafarers remained aboard
- Crew nationalities
- According to the Russian Consulate General in Kolkata: 20 Russian, two Egyptian and one from Kazakhstan
- Court order
- Disembark and repatriate the crew, preferably within three weeks
- Order date
- October 6
- Vessel status
- Anchored off Paradip since May 11 and under arrest in three admiralty suits
- Wages and provisions
- The insurer subsequently supplied provisions and cleared wage arrears