Iranian ship denied entry into Alang

An Iranian ship with 17 crew, including nine Indians, has been denied beaching permission at the shipbreaking yard in Alang, Gujarat, and was forced to dock at the Bhavnagar anchorage, a port official said today.

The ship, Rashleigh, which arrived in Bhavnagar district on April 9, was refused beaching permission in view of a stay order from the Bombay High Court, a senior official of the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) said.

The court had issued directions to maintain statusquo until further orders, he said. Port officer-in-charge of Alang captain K H Gohil said the ship had been allowed to dock at Bhavnagar anchorage and they had instructed the agent to supply food and water to the crew. They were waiting for further orders from the court.

The crew includes nine Indians besides Russians and Ukrainians. Their passports had been seized by the police in the presence of court officials, the GMB official said. Alang GMB official M M Khatri said the case had been filed due to some financial dispute but since they had not been made party to the case, "we do not have exact details".

Khatri said the shipping agency which brought the ship for dismantling was looking after food, water and other requirements of the crew.