Stranded and Desperate: MT Nirvana’s Crew Pleads for Help Amid Financial Deadlock at Alang
Alang, India – May 14, 2025 — The oil tanker MT Nirvana arrived at the outer anchorage of the Alang ship recycling yard earlier this month, destined for demolition. However, what was supposed to be the vessel’s final voyage has now turned into a nightmare for its crew. Due to unresolved financial disputes, the ship has been arrested at Alang, leaving its crew in limbo—unpaid, under-provisioned, and desperate for help.
According to a distress letter penned by the crew and addressed to multiple maritime authorities, including the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), the Ministry of Shipping, Bhavnagar Port, MMD Jamnagar, VTS Khambhat, and seafarer support organizations like ITF Union, MUI, NUSI, and ISWAN, the situation onboard has become dire.
Stranded Without Basic Necessities
The letter details a grim reality onboard MT Nirvana. The crew claims they have been without a salary for the past two and a half months. Since May 11, they have also been without electricity and fuel, living in complete blackout conditions. Even necessities such as food and water have become scarce.
The vessel, which had been waiting at Diu OPL since April 1, received only a week’s worth of provisions and fuel on May 1, despite repeated requests. The crew had been promised full salary and repatriation for those who wanted to sign off. However, since then, nothing has materialised.
“We are making dal and rice at the aft by burning wood planks,” the letter reads. “This is a tanker in gas-free condition and waiting for scrap. We don’t know how long this will continue.”
With no fuel, no food, no salaries, and no firm timeline for resolution, the crew’s desperation is growing by the day.
Safety Risks Mounting
The ship dropped anchor near Bhavnagar on May 7. The crew has since been pleading for resupply, fuel, and their pending dues. But more than just a humanitarian crisis, the situation has now escalated into a serious maritime safety risk.
“If the anchor drags, we can do nothing,” the crew warned in their letter, highlighting their inability to manoeuvre the ship due to lack of power and fuel. Given the congested waters off Alang, such an event could lead to environmental and navigational hazards.
Owner and Agency Identified
Ozarka Shipping FZCO, a company registered in the United Arab Emirates, owns the ship. The crew has named Captain Sajith S. as the company’s local representative, and crewing agencies Willmar Shipping Solutionz (RPSL MUM 161976) and Ari Star Ship Management (RPSL CHN 162217) are responsible for their placement.
Despite reaching out to these entities, the crew alleges that their calls for relief have gone largely unanswered.
“This is a do-or-die situation,” the crew concluded in their letter, accompanied by the signatures of all onboard personnel.
Growing Pressure on Authorities
The letter has sparked growing concern among maritime stakeholders and seafarer welfare groups. The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and other unions have confirmed receipt of the distress signal and are reportedly coordinating with Indian maritime authorities to initiate intervention.
A senior official at the DG Shipping office in Mumbai, speaking anonymously, acknowledged that the complaint had been received. “We are aware of the situation and are in the process of coordinating with local port authorities and the ship owner’s representatives. The safety and well-being of the crew is our top priority,” the official said.
However, with bureaucratic procedures often slow to move, the crew remains stranded in the meantime.
Legal and Ethical Responsibility
Under international maritime law and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), shipowners are obligated to ensure the timely payment of wages, the provision of food, water, fuel, and the repatriation of crew members. Any breach of these obligations constitutes a serious violation that could lead to sanctions and blacklisting of the vessel and its owners.
“The case of MT Nirvana is a clear violation of the MLC,” said an ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network) representative. “If the Indian authorities fail to act swiftly, the crew’s health and safety could be at extreme risk.”
Alang’s Ongoing Scrutiny
This incident once again casts a shadow over the Alang ship recycling yard, one of the largest in the world but frequently in the spotlight for labor violations and environmental concerns. While recent years have seen efforts to modernize the yard and bring operations up to international standards, incidents like MT Nirvana’s show that enforcement remains inconsistent.
Local sources in Bhavnagar say this is not the first time a vessel has arrived at Alang with unresolved financial or legal disputes, but few situations have been as visibly desperate as this one.
A Plea for Urgent Action
With no clear resolution in sight, the crew of MT Nirvana is making a final plea for help from those in power.
“All we expect from the authorities is to take immediate action—clear our salary and allow us to disembark. We don’t want to die on board,” their letter concludes.
As of now, the ship remains anchored, its crew watching the horizon for rescue. The question is no longer just about maritime law, but about basic human decency—and whether the system will respond in time.
Author: shipping inbox
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