The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has urgently called on United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities to address the dire situation of 19 seafarers stranded on a sanctioned oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. The crew, comprising mostly Indian nationals, one Bangladeshi, and one Ukrainian, is stuck aboard the tanker Global Peace, anchored off the UAE coast near Al Hamriyah.

These seafarers have been trapped onboard for an extended period, well beyond the maximum contract duration allowed under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Many of their contracts have long expired, yet their right to repatriation has been ignored, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and hardship.

The Global Peace, owned by a UAE-based company, faces U.S. sanctions due to its involvement in illicit oil trading. The vessel operates without a registered flag and reportedly lacks insurance, compounding the crew’s precarious situation. The seafarers’ contracts also reference nonexistent ITF collective bargaining agreements, revealing deceptive practices by the ship’s operator.

The ITF has classified this case as abandonment under international maritime law and recorded it in the joint International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) abandonment database. An ITF spokesperson described the situation as a glaring example of seafarers becoming hidden victims of illegal oil trade, pressing UAE maritime authorities to act swiftly to resolve the crew’s plight.

The UAE has become a significant hub for seafarer abandonment, with numerous cases reported recently, trailing only one other country globally. Despite its prominence as a maritime center, the UAE has not adopted the MLC, leaving seafarers with minimal legal protections. This gap in oversight heightens the vulnerability of crews on vessels like the Global Peace.

The ITF highlights that such cases reflect broader issues in the maritime industry, including the misuse of flags of convenience and the lack of mandatory vessel insurance. These practices allow shipowners to shirk responsibility, leaving crews stranded without wages, provisions, or a way home. The industry continues to face challenges with seafarer abandonment, with a growing number of cases reported globally.

For maritime professionals, this situation emphasizes the critical need to understand international labor standards and the risks of working on unregulated vessels. Seafarers should be trained to verify the legitimacy of shipowners and contracts before joining a vessel and to know their rights under the MLC, including limits on contract duration and repatriation entitlements. Organizations like the ITF play a vital role in advocating for crew welfare in such crises.

The crisis aboard the Global Peace underscores the human toll of inadequate maritime regulations. As the industry struggles with recruitment and retention, protecting seafarers’ rights and safety is crucial for a sustainable workforce. Maritime professionals are urged to stay informed and support stronger enforcement of international standards to prevent future abandonments.

Source: Marine Insight