The Russian Foreign Ministry is assisting in solving the problem of the Partizan vessel of Russian shipping company Gudzon, subject to US sanctions, as the vessel is still unable to leave South Korea, Valery Uliskin, the deputy director general for strategic development at Gudzon, told Sputnik
VLADIVOSTOK (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 12th March, 2019) The Russian Foreign Ministry is assisting in solving the problem of the Partizan vessel of Russian shipping company Gudzon, subject to US sanctions, as the vessel is still unable to leave South Korea, Valery Uliskin, the deputy director general for strategic development at Gudzon, told Sputnik.
Partizan was due to deliver scrap metal to South Korea. On February 25, its hull was damaged as a result of a minor explosion in the Sea of Japan. The vessel reached the South Korean port of Pohang on February 27 and has been since then located there, since it is denied bunkering over Seoul's fears of secondary sanctions by Washington. Gudzon has addressed Russia's Consulate General in Busan, as well as South Korean governmental bodies, and has also sent a letter of protest to the captain of the Pohang port.
"We are waiting for a decision. We have not received an official response from the South Korean Transport Ministry and the port of Pohang yet. As an agent has told us, there will be a conference there, and the question is being solved. Our Foreign Ministry has got involved. They have sent a note [of protest], there has been a phone conversation, and they are trying to obtain a permit [for refueling]," Uliskin said.
He specified that the South Korean government had not imposed any restrictions considering cooperation with Gudzon.
"This is, allegedly, a private company that boycotts us. But we are addressing a state body [the administration of the port] that is able to find some fuel and supply our vessel. We need just 5-7 tonnes [of fuel] to be able to reach China or Vladivostok," Uliskin added.
He went on to say that Partizan crew members were staying at a hotel, since it was too cold on board of the vessel, stressing that this incurred extra costs for Gudzon.
The United States announced in August that two Russian shipping companies, including Gudzon, and six Russia-flagged ships would be sanctioned over accusations of violating the UN Security Council's resolution on North Korea, which bans ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum products to the country. According to the US Treasury, the sanctions will remain in force until full denuclearization of North Korea is achieved.
