August 25, 2009
Egypt releases Russian wheat vessel
Egypt had released a vessel containing 56,000 tonnes of Russian wheat seized in June at Safaga port, Russian grain company Rosinteragroservis (RIAS) said on Monday (Aug 24).
Egypt, the world's top wheat importer, ordered the seizure of the Seabird vessel for quality checks and subsequently ordered its re-export on June 24 saying it failed to meet contract terms.
RIAS had sold and shipped the wheat cargo to Egyptian Traders Co. but said it never received payment.
After the re-export decision, RIAS filed a complaint against Egypt's main state wheat buyer GASC for delaying its release from port.
As of August 24 afternoon the vessel was free to sail, said Chris Vanhonacker, commercial director of RIAS Trading.
The Seabird's release from Safaga port has been delayed amid an escalating row between Egypt and Egyptian Traders that erupted in mid-May over a separate Russian wheat cargo.
