Chinese passenger liner detained in Jeju Island

BEIJING - A Chinese passenger liner with over 2,300 people aboard was detained on Friday by a local court in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea (ROK) following a request by a Chinese shipping service company, the cruise's operator said on Saturday.

The Henna was detained before departure by a Jeju local court when a shipping service company, Jiangsu Shagang International Trade Co Ltd. applied for a seizure order on claims of legal dispute, said Beijing-based HNA Tourism Holding (Group) Company Ltd. on its website.

The ship, with 1,659 passengers and a crew of 650 on board, was originally bound for Incheon from Jeju at 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday, said HNA Tourism.

By 12:00 pm local time on Saturday, all passengers and crew have been stranded for more than 20 hours and no departure time has been confirmed, the cruise operator said.

The company said it has reported the incident to Chinese authorities and has coordinated with the ROK side for a safe departure as soon as possible.