A year has passed since a bulker grounded off Pointe d’Esny in Mauritius, spilling more than 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and causing devastating environmental damage.

While compensation negotiations and the clean-up continue, the master of the 203,000-dwt Wakashio (built 2007) has been held in custody.

Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, a 58-year-old Indian national, has twice been denied bail by­ Mauritius’ criminal courts, as he is considered a flight risk, even though...