A Turkish chemical tanker that suffered a fire off Russia has been arrested as the state tries to recover salvage costs.
The 6,000-dwt Ahmet Telli (built 2004) suffered a blaze in its engine room on 9 July off the city of Temyruk.
The vessel has now been arrested following a decision by the Arbitration Court of the Krasnodar territory, domestic media reported.
Federal salvage agency Morspasluzhba took legal action after the tanker’s Russian ship agency Kargoline did not pay a salvage fee of RUB 52m ($860,000), TASS reported.
A seafarer was hospitalised during the fire.
Russian salvage authorities said the first officer was taken to hospital after inhaling toxic smoke, but his condition was not life-threatening.
The Turkey-flag ship was moved to the outer roads of the Black Sea port of Temryuk due to fears of an explosion on board.
Konstantin Dereberya, a pilot from the Taman district department of Rosmorport, stayed on board to eventually help guide the vessel into port with the help of tugs.
He had arrived at the port on 9 July to bring the tanker into berth.
But a fire started as the ship approached Temryuk, cutting power to the vessel.
The Ahmet Telli was then anchored but the crew was unable to halt the blaze.
Operator Gemiciler Denizcilik Sanayi (Gemden Group) of Istanbul did not respond to TradeWinds’ request for comment.
The vessel has never been detained as a result of port state control safety inspections.
The tanker is listed as being entered with the West of England protection and indemnity club.
Gemdem Group has seven small tankers in all.
VesselsValue assesses the Ahmet Telli as worth $2.5m.
It was acquired from Marnavi in Italy for $4.1m in 2014.
The vessel remained at anchor in Temyruk on 25 July, its last AIS update.
