Ship owners to meet ITF in bid to resolve latest pay row

The owners of the Merchant Brilliant cargo ship are expected to meet representatives of the International Transport Workers Federation in Dublin today in an effort to resolve a row over unpaid wages.

The ITF secured a High Court order last week preventing the ship from leaving port due to allegations that its owners owe tens of thousands of euro to the 20 Russian and Latvian crew members.

The men's Russian employers, ADG Shipping Agency, are understood to have flown into Ireland at the weekend in an effort to secure the release of the vessel.

Earlier this month, ADG paid €127,000 in back wages to the crew of another vessel, the Merchant Bravery, following the intervention of the ITF.

A spokesman for the federation was adamant last night that the Merchant Brilliant would not be allowed to return to the seas until the crew are paid all outstanding wages in full.