The Hanjin Scarlet may have been unloaded on Sept. 7 but the ship and crew remain in Prince Rupert’s outer harbour due to ongoing financial issues.
Once the cargo destined for Prince Rupert was unloaded, the Hanjin Scarlet had been scheduled to unload in Seattle, Washington but it was seized by creditors for unpaid bills.
“DP World has begun a procedure to ensure payment for the work that they conducted and this legal procedure requires the vessel to not move from this location,” said Michael Gurney, manager of communications at the Port of Prince Rupert.
The crew, however, were able to come ashore, and the vessel took on more fresh water when it was handled at the Fairview Terminal, Gurney confirmed.
The Seafarers Mission in Prince Rupert, a non-governmental organization that assists seafarers globally, provided some comforts to members of the crew when they took a brief break from the ship. But once aboard, their ship was seized and they remain stranded with their cargo at Anchorage 27 near Stephens Island.
“The shipping agent, North Coast Shipping, is in regular communication with the master of the vessel and apparently the crew is in good spirits,” Gurney said. Although, it is not clear whether or not the crew is getting paid by the shipping company or how long they will have to wait to return home.
Crew members from the Hanjin Scarlet were able to take a brief break from their vessel at the Seafarers Mission in Prince Rupert. SEAFARERS MISSION PRINCE RUPERT FACEBOOK PAGE/CONTRIBUTED
After the Hanjin Shipping Co. declared receivership on Aug. 30, container ships have either been turned away or seized by ports who require payment to unload the cargo. The company owes the Port of Prince Rupert funds for handling the Hanjin Scarlet and other Hanjin vessels that were previously at the port.
The Hanjin Marine was on route to the Prince Rupert harbour but it was diverted south and there are no other Hanjin vessels set to arrive in the immediate future.
The Hanjin Scarlet and its crew will remain in the outer harbour until a solution has been reached between the South Korean shipping company and DP World.