Five Indian seafarers have been allowed to return home by the Indonesian navy.
The group was part of a crew of 21 held on the 106,000-dwt tanker Afra Oak (built 2003) off Batam since February over alleged illegal anchoring.
The Times of India cited a letter by the five seafarers to the ministry of external affairs and the Indonesian authorities, which said: "We, Afra Oak crew, understand the cause of delay due to the procedures to be followed for crew release."
Clarksons lists the ship as owned by Hellenic Tankers of Greece, which has been contacted for comment.
Some of the remaining crew on Afra Oak are from the Philippines, but it is hoped they will be released soon, according to the report.
The Indonesian navy said at the time that it had seized eight ships.
Most of the vessels were detained in the Singapore Strait on different dates in February for anchoring in what Indonesia claims to be its territorial waters, the Times of India had previously reported.
UK insurer Standard Club warned in February of a number of cases of ships anchored around Batam and Bintan being detained by the Indonesian authorities as a part of their efforts to combat smuggling.
"The club is aware that a number of ships are apparently instructed to ‘wait for orders’ off Singapore OPL (outside port limits). However, the waters in the Strait of Singapore and Malacca may not necessarily be international and will be claimed either by Malaysia, Singapore or Indonesia.
"Releasing the ship from detention in such circumstances could be difficult and a time-consuming process. As such, the club recommends its members to avoid anchoring at non-designated anchorages within the Singapore and Malacca Straits unless proper approval has been granted by the relevant authorities."
