Indian authorities release Chinese cargo vessel

Chinese general cargo vessel Union Demeter has been held at India’s Haldia Port for nearly 50 days for owing bunkering fees.    Chinese general cargo vessel Union Demeter is in the process of being released by Indian authorities and returned to China after being held at India’s Haldia Port for nearly 50 days, Splash 24/7 reported Friday.
   According to Nanjing Yuan Teng Shipping, the crew manager of the vessel, the Union Demeter was detained for owing bunkering fees, Splash 24/7 said.
   The vessel was first detained when the owner, Tranvast Holdings, declared bankruptcy, leaving debts and salaries unpaid.
   Tranvast, a Nanjing-based dry bulk shipping company, shut down in December, leaving the 23 crew members of the Union Demeter to turn to the Chinese embassy for help in February when food and fuel supplies aboard the vessel became almost depleted.