The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has reported another case of crew abandonment, involving the general cargo ship Lady Mina. The crew, owed $68,000, has been working beyond their contracts, prompting the ITF to provide legal assistance for the vessel’s arrest. The issue began in May 2026 when a crew member reached out to the ITF from the Port of Las Palmas. An inspection revealed serious deficiencies in both the ship’s condition and the crew’s living standards.
Currently, six seafarers remain on board the Lady Mina, which is under detention. The initial contact with the ITF was made by a seafarer whose contract had expired. Despite serving over 13 months—exceeding the 11-month limit set by the Maritime Labour Convention—the shipowner has failed to repatriate them. Notably, the Chief Engineer has not received payment since January 2026, having been on board since October 2024.
After confirming the abandonment, the ITF alerted the Spanish Maritime Authority, which detained the vessel. Allegations have been made that the Lady Mina lacks necessary statutory certificates and that its financial security documentation appears fraudulent. Although two crew members were initially repatriated, the shipowner has since neglected to address the situation for the remaining crew, withholding their wages and failing to repair the vessel.
The ITF emphasizes that this is not the first instance of abandonment by this shipowner, with previous reports of similar issues. The Lady Mina has a troubled history, including a 2024 incident where the crew was left unpaid for five months in Algeria. As cases of abandonment rise, the ITF urges authorities to enforce regulations ensuring shipowners fulfill their obligations to seafarers.
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