NEW DELHI (CU)_With the vessel blocking the Suez Canal being wrenched free from the sandy banks on Monday (29 March), concerns have been raised over how the Suez Canal Authority will treat the ship’s crew which comprises 25 Indians.
The Indian government, as well as seafarers’ organisations have expressed their concerns over possible criminal charges or any other legal implications the crew may face.
Experts say that one of the possible measures will be the crew being placed under house arrest and restrained from traveling further until the investigation into the cause of the incident is completed.
“Firstly, it has to be ascertained as to how the giant ship ran aground,” Captain Sanjay Prashar, member of the National Shipping Board (NSB) told The Times of India.
“Facts can be checked by examining and listening to conversation in the ship voyage data recorder and one can come to an understanding as to what caused the mishap.”
The 224,000-tonne container ship ‘Ever Given’ was grounded in Egypt’s Suez Canal on 23 March, after strong winds and a sandstorm caused low visibility and poor navigation. The incident led to a massive traffic jam, which resulted in more than 350 vessels carrying cargo ranging from crude oil to cattle being stranded on either side.
The Berhard Schulte Ship Management (BSSM) has confirmed that the 25 Indian seafarers are safe and in good health. The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) has also expressed solidarity with the crew, and pledged to support them in whatever manner required.
“The NUSI has promised solidarity with all Indian seafarers on board ‘Ever Given’. I got in touch with them. The seafarers are fine but stressed. They are not alone and we will support them whenever required and in whatever manner required,” NUSI general secretary Abdulgani Serang tweeted.
