Stalemate over detention of Indian tanker by Iran

NEW DELHI: There has been no breakthrough on the issue of detention of an Indian tanker by Iranian authorities at Bandar Abbas port for the last 11 days

"There is no breakthrough in the matter. There is status quo. We are still pursuing the matter," a Shipping Ministry official told PTI.

MT Desh Shanti, an oil tanker belonging to the country's largest ocean liner Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) was detained by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on August 12 in Persian Gulf and taken to Bandar Abbas port while carrying crude from Basrah in Iraq.

An SCI official said a team sent by the Director General of Shipping to Bandar Abbas port was still camping there after conducting the inspection of the vessel and verifying that no pollution was caused by the tanker with a capacity to carry 1,40,00O tonnes of crude.

The Indian team included the surveyor from Indian Register of Shipping, which is an internationally recognised independent ship classification society, founded in India in 1975 and a senior SCI official.

Yesterday spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said, "We have been in touch constantly with Iran on this issue. Despite intensive discussions, we have not yet made any progress. The matter is being pursued vigorously by our embassy in Tehran."

He added that the ministry was working towards successful outcome of the "delicate" situation.

The Iranian authorities had expressed environment concerns and alleged that the vessel was causing pollution, a charge denied by Indian officials.