22 Indian Crew Members Rescued from Disputed Ship at Alang Ship-Breaking Yard
Alang, Gujarat – July 9, 2025:
A ship that arrived at the Alang Ship-Breaking Yard for dismantling found itself mired in legal complications the moment it dropped anchor, trapping 22 Indian crew members on board in dire conditions for over a month and a half. The vessel, MT Nirvan, was detained following a court-ordered arrest due to unresolved legal issues. During this time, the stranded seafarers endured extreme hardship, including lack of pay, food, water, electricity, and fuel.
The situation came to light after continuous appeals were made by the crew and concerned agencies. With no resolution in sight regarding the legal entanglements, India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), in coordination with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and Recognised Placement and Manning Agents (RPS), finally intervened. Utilizing tugboats of Maya Marine, namely Maya-22 and Time Trader, all 22 crew members were successfully and safely brought ashore.
The MT Nirvan, reportedly owned by Ozarka Shipping FZCO — a company registered in the United Arab Emirates — arrived in Alang for scrapping. However, upon arrival, it was immediately subjected to an arrest order by a court due to ongoing disputes, reportedly of a financial and regulatory nature. What followed was a severe humanitarian issue.
According to the stranded crew, they had been surviving without salaries for over three and a half months. “Since May 11, we have been living without electricity or fuel. The ship has been in a complete blackout. Even necessities like food and drinking water have become scarce,” a crew member revealed through a distress message. These dire conditions pushed the matter into urgent territory, with seafarer welfare organizations alerting authorities for immediate action.
The stranded seafarers named Captain Sajith S. as the vessel’s representative and identified Wilmar Shipping Solutions (RPSL MUM 161976) and Aery Star Ship Management (RPSL CHN 162217) as the manning agencies responsible for their placement. Crew members alleged that their repeated pleas for help were mostly ignored, and no satisfactory response was received from the ship’s ownership or the responsible agencies.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior official from DG Shipping’s Mumbai office confirmed that they had received a formal complaint. “We are aware of the situation. The safety and well-being of the crew is our top priority. We are working in coordination with local port authorities and representatives of the shipowner to ensure proper action is taken,” the official said.
The intervention came only after sustained pressure from maritime unions, welfare organizations, and media attention. Thanks to the efforts of DG Shipping and support agencies, all 22 crew members were finally evacuated from the stranded vessel and brought safely to land.
The incident once again brings to light the vulnerability of seafarers, especially in cases involving abandoned or disputed vessels. Industry observers have raised concerns about regulatory enforcement and the accountability of shipowners and crewing agencies in such situations.
As the legal proceedings around MT Nirvan continue, the focus now shifts to ensuring the repatriation and due compensation of the affected crew members. The DG Shipping has reportedly initiated further investigation into the roles of the manning agencies and the shipowner.
For now, the safe rescue of the 22 seafarers marks a relief, but their ordeal raises pressing questions about maritime labour rights and the responsibility of shipping stakeholders in ensuring humane working conditions — even at the end of a vessel’s operational life.
