KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 28 -- The owners of the MV Malaysia Star have cited legal and financial obligations as the primary reasons why vehicles aboard the vessel have yet to be released following a recent fire.

According to a statement issued their lawyers today, the vessel's owners are required to collect general average and salvage security before any vehicles can be returned to their owners.

These securities are meant to compensate affected cargo owners whose vehicles were damaged in the incident, as well as the salvors who played a role in saving the ship and its cargo.

Under maritime law, the shipowners must maintain a lien over the vehicles, meaning they cannot release them until sufficient security is provided.

The owners asserted t...