The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) has formally protested to the US Ambassador regarding the deaths of three Indian seafarers in recent military actions. Expressing “deep pain and anguish,” SJM criticized the US response as insensitive and called for an impartial investigation, accountability, and compensation for the victims’ families.
BIMCO’s campaign film, “Seafarers Deserve Fair Seas,” highlights the perilous conditions faced by maritime crews. With seafarers transporting 12.5 billion tonnes of goods annually, their safety is jeopardized by severe weather, piracy, and unjust legal actions. The film underscores the urgent need for reforms to protect these essential workers.
The Bombay High Court expressed serious concerns for the safety of 50 Indian crew members stranded on three vessels in the Arabian Sea. The crew, stuck since February due to police intervention, reported dwindling food and water supplies. The court ordered state authorities to provide urgent assistance while addressing the ship owners’ abandonment.
Stranded off West Africa, Indonesian sailor Surono and his crew face a harrowing choice: return home empty-handed or remain aboard their abandoned vessel. With over $13,000 in unpaid wages, Surono’s family struggles financially. The International Transport Workers’ Federation intervenes, but uncertainty looms as they seek justice for the crew.
On August 26, 2025, a ceremony at the Myanmar Seafarers Federation in Yangon focused on the repatriation of illegally employed seafarers. Captain Soe Min Aung addressed their challenges, while four seafarers shared harrowing experiences from Oman. The event underscored the need for safe employment and the protection of maritime workers’ rights.
In May 2023, Nikolaus Schues was inaugurated as BIMCO’s president, underlining the essential role of seafarers as ‘key workers.’ He called for their protection against criminalization for incidents like drug smuggling. Schues also highlighted the urgent need for improved training and better incentives to combat the looming shortage of qualified seafarers.
In a groundbreaking ruling, a court in India has sentenced eight Pakistani nationals to 20 years in prison for smuggling 232 kg of heroin. The judge emphasized the severity of the offense and rejected pleas for leniency. This case highlights the collaborative efforts to combat drug trafficking and uphold maritime jurisdiction.
The family of a victim who died in a fire on a petroleum tanker in East Bali is frustrated by the lack of compensation from the shipping company. Despite promises, no financial support has been received, leaving the family in limbo. Efforts to secure funds have been unsuccessful, leaving them without clarity on their claims.
