Newlead Holdings says it remains in contact with the 18 seafarers aboard a stranded bitumen tanker and denies reports of another unpaid crew aboard a vessel at anchorage with Greece.
The 5,900-dwt Newlead Granadino (built 2009) has been at anchorage in Baltimore Harbor since 20 September due to engine problems. An inspection by the US Coast Guard (USCG) also discovered safety violations, leading to the vessel’s detention.
In a statement to TradeWinds, Newlead said the vessel’s crankshaft is severely damaged and needs to be replaced. Newlead said the ship is covered for hull and machinery insurance, which will be used to pay for the vessel’s repair, as well as the wages of the crew on board the vessel.
Due to the crankshaft issue, Newlead management stopped “the vessel from continuing trading in order to ensure the safety of the crew on board,” the company said in a statement. “NewLead’s management decision was taken in order to protect life and well-being of the crew on board the vessel which is of primary and utmost importance to the company.”
Newlead was not able to provide a date for the repair.
The 18 crew members aboard the Granadino have said to representatives of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) that they are owed back wages totalling $146,000. They have also said to ITF representatives that they are running low on personal care items.
Newlead resupplied the ship with provisions through the end of October. It says the crew itself has not asked for personal care items in their last provisioning request.
The company, whose founder was detained earlier today over an arrest warrant in Cyprus, is also denying reports that the crew aboard another tanker, the 3,400-dwt Newlead Nepheli (built 2009) has not been paid since August. The company said the ship continues to trade in the spot market.
