Alarm raised over growing number of seafarers abandoned on sanctioned tankers

Alarm raised over growing number of seafarers abandoned on sanctioned tankers
Jonathan Boonzaier 22 July 2025 https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ship-management/alarm-raised-over-growing...

Some ships are being kept idle in international waters, making it difficult to get help for crews

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says a growing number of abandoned seafarers are stranded on board sanctioned tankers that have become too hot to handle.

“Sanctions must not be used as an excuse to neglect basic responsibilities to seafarers,” Mohamed Arrachedi, ITF flag of convenience network coordinator for the Arab world & Iran, told TradeWinds.

He said the problem is becoming worse as an increasing number of ships are being sanctioned and flag states are throwing them off their registers.

The removal of the flag state following sanctioning has left crews in effect stranded, with minimal support or accountability from the shipowner.

“We’ve seen this pattern before: flags are pulled, oversight disappears and the people on board are left to suffer. That is unacceptable,” said Arrachedi.

He highlighted the plight of the seafarers stuck on two small tankers belonging to shipowner Jugwinder Singh Brar, who was sanctioned by the US government in April, together with his Dubai-based companies Prime Tankers and Glory International.

“So far, we’ve had no response from the owner. The seafarers remain unpaid, stuck on board these vessels waiting to be repatriated. Even their most basic needs, like food, water and medical support, are not being met,” Arrachedi said.

“We’re looking for a clear, practical plan to ensure the crew receive their wages and are returned home safely, so these abandonment cases can finally be resolved.”

According to the ITF, resolving abandonment cases becomes extremely difficult when US sanctions are applied, because any financial transactions — including payments to crew — typically require permission from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Another issue alarming the ITF is the tendency by owners of sanctioned vessels to keep them far offshore, in international waters out of sight or reach of port authorities and seafarer welfare organisations.

After Singh Brar and his companies were sanctioned, most of his tankers were idled in an anchorage in the middle of the Gulf of Oman.

The anchorage is often used by tankers awaiting arrangements for their next cargo loading, but has also become widely used by tankers operated in the dark fleet, as they can conduct their clandestine activities out of sight of port authorities.

Singh Brar, when contacted by TradeWinds this week, denied that he was neglecting his crews. He said the seafarers on board these vessels are being paid their wages and are well looked after.

The ITF was sceptical about these claims.

“Given the opaque nature of the companies’ operations, including the use of unknown or flag of convenience flags, and recent US sanctions, we are concerned there may be further unreported cases,” it said.

Middle East tanker market watchers have expressed concern that there may be distressed seafarers on other sanctioned tankers in the anchorage.

Some sanctioned VLCCs have been observed idling in the anchorage since 2024, TradeWinds was told.

As the anchorage is in international waters, if seafarers on board these vessels have been abandoned by their employer, they are completely on their own.