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Chinese cruise ship detained in SKorea port
Print Edition
A SOUTH Korean district court on Friday afternoon detained a Chinese luxury cruise liner in the port of Jeju, stranding more than 2,300 passengers and crew members.
China’s National Tourism Administration asked late yesterday for the immediate release of the ship, the Henna, which was arrested due to a request by another Chinese company.
The administration contacted the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and asked it to take measures to release the cruise liner as soon as possible. An administration spokesman also said HNA Cruise, the ship’s operator, asked to ensure the safety of all passengers.
The ship, with 1,659 passengers and a crew of 650 on board, was scheduled to sail at 4pm on Friday from Jeju to Incheon, also in South Korea. A Jeju court ordered the ship to be held after receiving a seizure application from a subsidiary of Jiangsu Shagang Group Co Ltd, HNA Cruise said yesterday.
It was unclear when the Henna would be allowed to depart, said Dang Qingchen, a HNA press officer. The Chinese Consulate General on Jeju Island and HNA Cruise are negotiating with the South Korean side for the Henna’s release, Dang said.
Meanwhile, HNA Cruise said last night that is was arranging for planes to South Korea to pick up the stranded passengers. It also said it plans to compensate passengers appropriately for their losses.
The cruise has opened up entertainment venues for free and offered 24-hour catering. All supplies are sufficient, it said.
HNA Cruise also said holding the ship has restricted passengers’ freedom. The company condemned the move and said it reserves the right to pursue legal action for any losses suffered.
But, HNA Cruise did not specify the nature of the legal dispute with the Jiangsu subsidiary.
Dai Bin, a researcher at the China Tourism Academy, said a commercial dispute should not infringe upon the legal rights of tourists.
According to the International Convention on the Arrest of Ships, a vessel may only be arrested in respect of a maritime claim.
Such a claim can include loss or damage caused by a ship’s operation, salvage operations, and damage caused by a vessel to the environment.
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