India and Russia coordinate to free crew of detained Unity tanker
India's foreign ministry says it is in regular contact with the Russian embassy to arrange repatriation of the Unity tanker crew, detained near Paradip under a court order.
The Cameroon-flagged Unity oil tanker remains anchored about 10 km from Paradip Port after an Odisha High Court order detained it over a commercial dispute concerning unpaid bunker fuel. India’s Ministry of External Affairs, represented by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, said the government is maintaining regular communication with the Russian embassy to address the welfare and repatriation of the Russian crew. The International Labour Organisation’s joint ILO-IMO database classifies the vessel as an abandonment case, noting outstanding wages and pending repatriation.
The Russian consulate has appealed to Indian maritime agencies for assistance in completing the crew’s relief and payment. An urgent request from the International Maritime Organisation on July 16 also called on member states to act on the Unity case. Indian officials indicated they are taking appropriate steps to resolve the situation.
Why it matters
The detention affects international shipping, crew welfare, and diplomatic ties between India and Russia.
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