Charterers of ship stranded in UAE trying to send crew home

Since the vessel is outside anchorage, the immigration does not allow the charterers to carry out any crew change.-Supplied photo

Charterers of the disputed vessel MT ZOYA1 alleged that the tanker was arrested outside Hamariyah port limit in October last year. The passports and seafarer books have been seized by the UAE coastal authorities since October 1, 2017, due to an ongoing legal battle with the vessel owners, the details of which were revealed by the ship's charterers late Thursday afternoon.
A crude oil tanker flying the Panamanian flag has been anchored 15 miles away from UAE coast and is home to 16 south Asian sailors who've been stranded onboard the vessel for over a year. The crew salaries have not been paid for over four months.
However, the charterers anticipate having the vessel arrest revoked and are endeavouring to have the crew salary matter resolved at the very earliest.
"We are doing our best to safely send them back home to their families," said a legal consultant of the representing Avantgarde Petroleum Co, a subsidiary of ECB International LLC, the charterers of the vessel MT ZOYA 1.
In an e-mailed statement to Khaleej Times, a legal representative of Avantgarde Petroleum Co revealed that head owner of the vessel, Ullib Shipping Inc is in Singapore. The charterer only came to understand the purpose of the arrest, when the ship had received an arrest order for a claim filed by "a Swiss" bank from the Sharjah Court for a failure of a third party's actions, who could not return their loan to the bank.
"Despite the fact that none of these parties is the actual defendants, the claimant, "a Swiss" bank, has attached the assets of another party, which has now left innocent parties, the crew of Zoya1, and the vessel under arrest," the lawyer explained.
Since the vessel is outside anchorage, the immigration does not allow the charterers to carry out any crew change. "Nevertheless, we cannot either repair the engine damage we have, and the head owner is currently not in a financial position to pay out any more money as the vessel has been unemployed. We are facing economic issues in vessel's employment and we, as the bareboat charterers of the vessel, have diverted funds from our other sources to provide the amenities/salary to the crew," the statement added.
"We are facing tough times, not much care and consideration has been given to the people onboard. Although we are managing their livelihood, it will not stop the crew, their family members and us the charterers from being worried about their lives onboard."
Meanwhile, the sailors are in a desperate situation and are facing severe physical, mental and financial stress. Two crew members allegedly attempted suicide onboard the vessel, according to the ship captain. The sailors feel that they haven't committed any mistakes or violated any laws. Many of the seamen have severe financial stress and want to go back home.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com