MV Suez runs out of fuel, stranded off Oman

The arrival of Egyptian cargo vessel M V Suez, which was released by Somali pirates after ten months of captivity, has been delayed at the Omanese port of Salalah due to insufficient fuel, the directorate general of shipping said on Saturday.

The directorate also said it has expressed its inability to help the ship with 22-member crew by supplying about 15 metre fuel mid-sea due to inclement weather. Six Indians are onboard the ship.

The sailors on the Egyptian flagged ship were earlier expected to reach Pakistan on Monday but due to fuel shortage, they will not be able to do so. "The directorate also examined the possibility of locating an emergency towing vessel in the vicinity. However, no such suitable vessel was readily available," DGS said.

The ship owner has been advised to explore the possibility of hiring a tug from Salalah to tow the stranded vessel to the port, it said. MV Suez was hijacked by Somali pirates last October. Last Monday, pirates had released 22 hostages, including six Indians and four Pakistanis. After a brief rest at Salalah, the crewmembers are scheduled to travel to Muscat.