According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the UAE maritime authorities urgently need to intervene in a serious case of seafarer abandonment. Currently, 19 crew members are trapped on the oil tanker “Global Peace” anchored outside the Port of Hamriyah near the UAE coast.
The ship’s crew consists of 17 Indian nationals, along with one crew member each from Bangladesh and Ukraine. Many of them have been working on board for over 15 months, far exceeding the 11-month maximum stipulated by the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention.
Steve Trowsdale, ITF Inspectorate Coordinator, expressed deep concern: “This appalling situation highlights how seafarers can become neglected victims in illicit industries such as the oil trade. It is crucial that the UAE maritime authorities act immediately to rescue these individuals and end their suffering.”
The “Global Peace” oil tanker also presents other complicating factors.
It is not registered under any flag state and is owned by Glory International Free Zone LLC, which has been under US sanctions since April. Investigations reveal that the ship may not have valid insurance, and the ITF collective bargaining agreement mentioned in the crew contracts does not exist.
For some crew members, their employment contracts expired more than five months ago. However, their repatriation rights remain unresolved—a clear violation of international maritime law.
This incident underscores a disturbing trend of seafarer abandonment in the UAE. ITF data shows that in just the first eight months of 2025, 32 cases of vessel abandonment were reported in the UAE, second only to Turkey’s 43 cases during the same period.
Notably, the UAE government has not ratified the Maritime Labour Convention, which could enhance protections for seafarers operating in its waters.
Commenting on the issue, Trowsdale stated: “This case demonstrates how companies like Glory International exploit vulnerable labor solely for profit.” He emphasized that such companies treat seafarers as disposable resources rather than people who deserve protection.
This abandonment case has been officially registered in the databases specifically used by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to record such incidents.
Worryingly, projections indicate that 2025 could set a new global record for seafarer abandonment—reports show that 259 vessels were involved in such incidents in August alone, affecting at least 2,648 crew members.
In contrast, over 3133 crew members on more than three hundred ships were abandoned in 2024, a figure that represents a startling increase compared to statistics from previous years.
Compiled by Shipping Online.
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