A controversial ship berthed in Tauranga, New Zealand, remains stranded.

The Vega Auriga arrived in Tauranga on August 31 after being banned from Australia for three months due to problems with the treatment of crew.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company, which chartered the ship, ended its hireage of it when it was unloaded in Tauranga as it was no longer able to fulfil its contract, which included taking cargo to and from Australia.

Port of Tauranga chaplain Sid Wells approached the foodbank and local businesses for donations because the crew of about 20 were only paid their wages for August last week so had been struggling to buy food.

International Transport Workers Federation inspector Grahame McLaren confirmed the ship’s future was unclear.

The ship’s crew were without hot water and had been since prior to its arrival in New Zealand, he said.

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