SIMIC

THE UAE is starting to see a decrease in the number of unpaid seafarers being abandoned due to stricter measures against unscrupulous shipping contractors, reports Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide.
In 2022, there was a record-breaking number of cases worldwide, with 1,555 seafarers and 113 ships being abandoned, but welfare groups have reported fewer cases in the UAE this year.
With 20,000 maritime companies operating in the country, a crucial logistics hub for shipping lines, the ports receive approximately 21,000 vessels annually.
However, when these operators face financial difficulties, crew members can be stranded on ships, often far from shore, and dependent on charitable organizations for survival.
Since the government resolution was passed in September 2021, merchant tankers and other commercial vessel operators face more significant financial penalties that safeguard the rights of seafarers.
"In the last few months, we have seen a decline in cases of seafarers being abandoned or them being impacted by the kind of foreign recruitment agents coming into Dubai, which is good news," said International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network international operations manager Chirag Bahri.
"In the UAE, it is an improving situation, but elsewhere the number of abandonment cases is rising,"
"The bad owners are finding a way out [of their obligations] in other ways, so port states need to be more vigilant with seafarers who have not been properly paid." said Mr Bahri.
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE has established a framework that provides increased protection for the rights of seafarers.
This framework includes imposing fines of US$5,445 on owners of abandoned vessels and an additional fine of $2,722 per seafarer left onboard.
"The intention is clear, the authorities will safeguard the interest of seafarers, whether they work on a foreign vessel or a UAE-flagged vessel," said Mr Bahri.
"That message has been delivered strongly, and it has prohibited bad owners from using the UAE waters in which to abandon their vessels,"
"It seems to be working as a deterrent." said Mr Bahri.