OREANDA-NEWS In the Spanish port of Motril (Granada province, Autonomous community of Andalusia) detained the ship "Arctic", owned by "Murmansk shipping company", told coordinator of The International Federation of Transport Workers (ITF) in Spain Luz Bas.

"Polar" was off the coast of Ceuta (Spanish enclave in North Africa, the border with Morocco) from July 1, where it arrived to refuel from Tarragona (Catalonia). It loaded 22 tons of technical salt for roads, and intended to go to the British Tees. However, due to the financial problems of the ship owner and the lack of fuel, the Arctic could not continue the way. In addition, the ship's documents expired a month ago. Last week, the Arctic was sent to the port of Motril.

"Most of the ship's certificates expired on August 14, including the classification certificate (which is issued by the classification society) and the statutory documents (flag). Under such circumstances, the vessel cannot sail until the inspection is carried out, and the safety of the vessel is confirmed in accordance with the requirements of the International Maritime organization," Bas said.

According to this information,"the Spanish authorities, the country that owns the port, detained the ship until the situation was resolved, according to the Paris Memorandum of understanding on the control of ships by the port state (Paris MOU)."

In addition, she recalled that the owner and provided the ship with fuel for further navigation and did not send food. The food at team, according to her, will end this Wednesday.

"Arctic" - not the only vessel of the Murmansk shipping company, which is forced to stand in Spain. "North land" is in the port of Aviles (Asturias) since may 18 — it was arrested in connection with a lawsuit of Gibraltar for non-payment of 200 thousand euros for refueling the vessel. The debt of the owner is growing, as every day of stay in the port costs 1.26 thousand euros.

JSC "Murmansk shipping company", several vessels of which, according to the Russian Union of seafarers, are under arrest abroad, and in respect of which the UK opened a criminal case on non-payment of wages, claims to be experiencing financial difficulties, but refutes the fact that the company is in bankruptcy.