DHAKA: Iran has released an Indian crude oil tanker that was detained last month over pollution concerns, an Indian shipping official said on Saturday, ending a dispute between the countries that have historically had strong trade ties.

The tanker, Desh Shanti, carrying 140,000 tonnes of Iraqi crude, sailed on Friday night India time, said Captain Sunil Thapar, the director of bulk carriers and tankers at state-run Shipping Corp of India (SCI).

‘She sailed last night at 2354 hours after being finally released from detention,’ Capt Thapar told media, declining to say if any pollution damage claims were made, reports The Straits Times.

The tanker is owned by the SCI and was carrying crude oil for Hindustan Petroleum Corp.

BDST: 1558 HRS, SEPT 07, 2013
RoR/RIS