Stranded Malaviya Seven crew returning home

The ship - with 12 Indian sailors on board has been detained in Aberdeen Harbour for over a year

Published 21st Sep 2017

The Malaviya Seven crew starts leaving Aberdeen after more than a year stranded in the city's harbour.

Six of the 12 Indian sailors on board are going home this morning - a sheriff ruled the ship can be sold to pay their outstanding wages last week, totalling more than £600,000.

It’s understood Aberdeen Harbour will also look to recoup monies – totalling around £100,000.

Colin Parker, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Harbour Board:

"In common with any vessel using a port, berthing charges are applicable to detained vessels, and in the case of the Malaviya 7, due to the length of its stay, these have become significant.

Along with other organisations providing services to the vessel during its time in Aberdeen, we expect our invoice to be paid in full. Depending on the funds realised from the sale of the vessel, Aberdeen Harbour will look to recover this debt, but none of this, in our opinion, should in any way impact upon wages that the crew are entitled to."

The rest of the crew will stay behind to hand their ship over to its new owner - after the company who owned the ship was entered into administration.

The boat will be sold at auction.