A CARGO ship has been stranded in Newport Docks for nearly six months.

The Italian cargo ship Sunflower E was seized by authorities due to unpaid debts shortly after it docked in Newport in March this year.

The Argus reported in June that crew of 13 Indonesian, Filipino and Romanian workers had been stranded on the ship for nearly four months, without pay, as they waited for the matter to be resolved.

But after Newport West MP Paul Flynn raised their plight in Parliament they were eventually flown home.

Despite the wrangle over unpaid debts the ship is still said to be “safe and operational” in the port.

Chris Green, port manager of Cardiff and Newport, recently said: “The MV Sunflower E remains berthed at the port of Newport and is under the control of the Admiralty Marshal. Associated British Ports (ABP) are in regular contact with the Admiralty Marshal and the vessel agent to ensure that the vessel remains safe and operational while in the port.”