Pakistan fines crew of vessel from Oman over fake seafarer documents

Pakistan fines crew of vessel from Oman over fake seafarer documents
Ismail Dilawar May 05, 2026 https://www.arabnews.com/node/2642368/pakistan

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officers stand (left and right) with three Bangladeshi crew members (centre) aboard a ship in Karachi, Pakistan, on May 4, 2026. (FIA/handout)
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency said this week that it fined a ship in Karachi that had arrived from Oman after some of its crew members were found possessing illegal documents.

The FIA said the fine was imposed on the Al Tarf vessel, which was carrying 3,000 metric tons of black carbon oil and had arrived in Karachi from the Omani city of Shinas.

Seventeen crew members were on board the ship, including 10 Bangladeshi nationals and seven Indians, the FIA said. The agency said it found three Bangladeshi crew members traveling without valid seamen’s books upon inspection.

“The individuals possessed neither flag state nor national seamen’s books,” the FIA said. “Instead, they presented illegal seamen’s books issued from Ireland.”

A seaman’s book is an official document that certifies a person as a member of a vessel’s crew. It is issued by maritime authorities of different countries under their respective flags.

According to Marine Traffic, a web-based platform and mobile app that provides near real-time tracking of ship movements, Al Tarf is an oil tanker that sails under the flag of Zambia.

The FIA said its initial investigations revealed that the seamen’s books had been obtained via courier after completing online training.

“The ship’s master was informed, and a fine of Rs500,000 [$1,793] per person was imposed,” the agency said, adding that the total fine for three persons amounted to Rs1,500,000 [$5,381].

The FIA said it issued a notice to the shipping company that owns the vessel, adding that the fine collected will be deposited into the national treasury.

” There is a zero tolerance for violations of legal requirements,” the FIA said. “Strict monitoring at ports continues.”