VASCO
Owners of the cruise ship ‘MV Karnika’ have said they arenot in a position to restart operations as the port authorities in India havenot given the date by which cruise ships can restart operations due to theongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
MV Karnika has been in Mumbai since March 12 and has beenin-operational in the country ever since.
“This sector has been devastated by Covid-19. It'spredicted that 120 million jobs are at risk with economic damage likely toexceed over $1 trillion according to the report released by the UNSecretary-General Antonio Guterres that draws on UNWTO data to quantify thedevastating impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on global tourism,”stated a press note.
“Since operations were at standstill since March, therewere mounting debts in outstanding. These creditors arrested the ship throughthe Admiralty Court.”
The owners said they have also appealed to the High Courtand the Port Trust for assistance to provide fuel, power and basic supplies to60 crew members on the ship. However, they have yet to receive an update ontheir appeal from the High Court along with the port trust.
“Unfortunately, due to this delay, the crew on the shipare living in poor conditions with no fuel, power, etc. We are hoping to getcrew members signed off and relieve them so that they can go home as soon asthe legal formalities are completed.”
A senior management official said, “We would like toreassure the crew and their families that we have not forgotten about them,hence, have put the right wheels in motion.”
“We have asked for urgent indulgence with relevantauthorities and are waiting for their feedback.”
“In addition, we assure our crew members that they willreceive their salaries as soon as the funds are received. Main priority is toreunite the crew with their families,” the press note stated.
