The oil tanker MT UNITY, detained at the Indian port of Paradip since May, has been unable to leave Indian territory for nearly five months, with a Kazakh citizen on board. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commented on the situation, according to infohub.kz.
Official spokesperson for the foreign ministry, Zhanbolat Usenov, confirmed on his Telegram channel that the vessel MT UNITY, with a crew of 23 sailors, has been detained at Paradip port. One of them is a citizen of Kazakhstan. The detention was due to the shipowner's financial debt to a local fuel supplier.
"Kazakh diplomats are taking the necessary steps to ensure the repatriation of our citizen. A corresponding diplomatic note has been sent to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting assistance in resolving the situation," Usenov was quoted as saying by NUR.KZ.
It is separately noted that the Kazakh citizen and his family members have not approached the country's diplomatic missions for assistance. Nevertheless, the situation is under the control of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier, media reports said that the vessel has 20 Russian citizens on board, as well as a Kazakh citizen and two Egyptian citizens. The Russian Consulate General in Kolkata clarified that the arrested oil tanker requires repairs, which is why it cannot continue its voyage.