Tunisia Frees Ukrainian Ship

A court in the Tunisian city of Sfax has ordered the release of the Saint Mary vessel flying the Ukrainian flag that was impounded nine months ago for damaging a section of an oil pipe and nearby residential houses. According to International Affairs Ministry press service head Serhiy Borodenkov, Ukrainian diplomats have been able to resolve all the issues connected with the case, and in part its financial side. The crew’s wages have been paid in full, while payments to recently hired crewmen will start on October 1. According to Mr. Borodenkov, the sailors will head home in the next few days. After it has been patched up the vessel carrying 22,000 tons of phosphates will set sail for Ukraine. A total of thirteen impounded Ukrainian vessels are at anchor in ports the world over, reports Interfax-Ukraine.