EMEA News
Bulk Carrier Crew "Trapped" in Fallout from Bunker Dispute
The crew of a 1999-built bulk carrier have been "trapped" onboard for around a month due to an ongoing dispute over an unpaid bunker bill, local media reports.
After being stood at anchor for about a month, last week la Nuova di Venezia e Mastre reported that the 22-man crew of Dst Oslo were finally able to leave the vessel, which was also arrested, at the port of Marghera, with the crew having been supported by the Port Authority of Venice and charitable donations.
However maritime media publication Splash suggested that both of the reports were incorrect, saying instead the crew had provisions onboard to last until at least next month, while immigration rules ultimately prevented the crew from disembarking.
The dispute itself stems from Athens-based bunker supplier Termoil who is claiming some $460,000 in unpaid bunkers plus costs and interest from the 74,500 DWT DST Oslo.
Data from VesselValue.com indicates DST Oslo is controlled by Fearnley Business Management KS, although Splash also reports the company denies the vessel is theirs, but is commercially managed by DST Shipping
The vessel is reported to have been subjected to a raft of related issues, such as the inability to get credit to buy more bunkers, and due to its predicament was allegedly quoted $1,800 per metric tonne (pmt) for a distillate stem.
