Gulf | Oman
Tug boat fails to reach stranded Egyptian vessel MV Suez
It may take another three to four days to bring the stranded vessel to Salalah Port
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 12:13 June 19, 2011
Muscat: The efforts to bring Egyptian merchant ship MV Suez to Salalah after it ran out of fuel in the mid sea have run into further trouble as the tug boat has failed to reach the vessel that was set free after 10 months in captivity by the Somali pirates.
"The tug boat has not reached MV Suez and now we are waiting for a word from the ship's owners regarding the further plan of action," a representative of handling agents of the ship in Salalah told Gulf News.
Pakistani philanthropist Ansar Burney had negotiated the release of the ship captained by Wassi Hassan of Pakistan and $2.1 million ransom was paid to set the crew of 22, including six Indians, four Pakistanis, one Sri Lankan and 11 Egyptian nationals, free.
The Panama flagged merchant vessel with deadweight 17,300 tonnes ran out of fuel as it was headed to Salalah after its release by the pirates. It was taken over by Somali pirates in August last year while taking a cargo of cement bags.
"At this stage it is difficult to say when MV Suez will reach Salalah," the representative said.
It appears that it may take another three to four days to bring the stranded vessel to Salalah Port.
The condition at the sea has also made it difficult to fuel the stranded ship.
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