Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia begins to work on problem of Georgian sailors in Panama Canal. The crew of Georgian sailors, who are on board of the Maria Del Carmen 2 vessel sailing with Nigeria flag, have asked officials for help.
Twelve Georgian sailors have been stuck in Panama Canal due to the negligence and irresponsibility of the ship owner during past three months. The vessel is five kilometers away from the port.
With the help of Georgian consulate in Mexico, MFA plans to supply fuel, food and water to sailors soon.
Captain`s assistant, Giorgi Janelidze says that the sailors have only three days store of food, but they have been already left in blackout due to the lack of fuel; telephone contact is also expected to be cut in a few days.
The Nigerian owner of the vessel refused to repair the damaged boat and cancelled contracts with the sailors.
Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze has commented on the problem today.
`There are details to be clarified, which are very important for the sailors. Meeting will be held today and by the end of the day we`ll have a determined plan of what to do next. This plan will be agreed with the sailors. The ship owner has salary arrears to our sailors and we cannot take decision on their transportation to Georgia until they take this decision, though we are already working on the problem. We are also holding negotiations with international organizations to provide safe transportation of sailors,` Maia Panjikidze said.
