Nine crew on a Russian freighter that has been detained in New Ross, Co Wexford, for the past month may be repatriated, following a High Court hearing on the issue yesterday.
Ken Fleming, Irish inspector for the International Transport Federation (ITF), has been asked by Mr Justice Paul Butler to provide details of the cost of repatriating the crew, who are owed $87,544 (€64,260) in wages to date.
Mr Justice Butler, who was hearing applications from various creditors in relation to the freighter Lillian, gave permission for the ship to be sold.
He also said he was anxious to see the crew repatriated as soon as possible for humanitarian reasons.
The ITF says the repatriation will not affect the crew members' legal claims as creditors in Ireland.
Several companies also have claims against the vessel owners, Highbridge Ltd of Belize.
Mr Fleming welcomed the decision by Mr Justice Butler to "put the personal needs of the crew first, so that they can return home to their families".
"We will be returning to the court with figures very shortly," Mr Fleming added.