M/V "Zapolyarye" is running out of fuel

The M/V "Zapolyarye", which is at anchorage near Ceuta (Spain), is running out of fuel. According to the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Coordinator in Russia, Sergey Fishov, there will be enough fuel only until Friday. The owner of the vessel - “Murmansk Shipping Company” (MSCO)  - promised to supply the fuel  last week, but has not done so yet. A new promise has been made to bunker the “Zapolyarye” till  the end of the week. However, nobody guarantees that the ship will be ready to sail to England.

The M/V "Zapolyarye" has been in Spain since the middle of July 2018, as MSCO can't find money to buy 140 tons of fuel. According to the local  ITF Inspector  Lusa Bassa, the crew have been experiencing difficulties in supplying fresh water, provisions and fuel. Last week, the shipping company repatriated 11 Russian seafarers, replacing them with a new crew members. The newly arrived seafarers say that now they have enough - at least till the end of month - fresh water and food supplies. 

On top of the lack of fuel, there is another problem: the ship's papers have expired. Since to date the situation with M/V "Zapolyarye" remains uncertain, the Spanish maritime authorities may decide to berth the vessel in the nearest port. The ITF Coordinator in Russia, Sergey Fishov, noted  that he is in constant contact with the ship's crew and his Spanish colleagues, who keep in touch with the Spanish maritime authorities.