India, Aug. 6 -- The Bombay High Court has paved the way for the abandoned merchant vessel Sencer 1, docked at the Mumbai port trust for over a year, to be auctioned for the third time, after two earlier auctions - held in July and October, 2025 - failed.

The National Union of Seafarers India (NUSI) had, in May, urged the court to relieve the five-member crew manning the defunct vessel, saying the conditions on board, including the absence of electricity and extreme heat, were inhospitable and causing serious hardship and psychological distress to the seafarers.

On July 24, Justice Abhay Ahuja allowed the Sheriff of Mumbai to proceed with the third auction of the vessel. In its notice about the re-auction following the court's order, th...