Besart
10 seafarers abandoned on the Besart (IMO 8104591, flag United Republic of Tanzania) in Durres, Albania, 1 September 2024. ILO case 1122, status: Disputed.
- Status
- Disputed
- Abandonment ID
- 1122
- IMO Number
- 8104591
- Flag
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Port of Abandonment
- Durres, Albania
- Abandonment Date
- 1 September 2024
- Notification Date
- 4 November 2024
- Seafarers
- 10
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Majority of the crew have not received their wages for last three
months (July, August and September)
Updates
29 July 2026: United Republic of Tanzania
(From the Tanzania Zanzibar International Register of Shipping (TZIRS))
We acknowledge receipt of your email and will review the case accordingly. We will follow up with the relevant department and keep you updated on any developments.
29 July 2026: International Maritime Organisation
I herewith forward the attached message and urgent request for immediate assistance which was received from ***, concerning the General cargo ship ‘BESART’, IMO Number 8104591, Flag: United Republic of Tanzania (Zanzibar), having on board 10 seafarers from India (7) and Syria (3) who were abandoned in Durres, Albania since 1 September 2024, while the ship has been grounded for almost two years. The insurer is PJSC “IC” “USG” (Vienna Insurance Group).
I herewith also include again confirmation received from *** at S & P Global that they updated their records to show the General cargo ship ‘BESART’, IMO Number 8104591, Flag: United Republic of Tanzania (Zanzibar) since 19 January 2024.
I herewith forward the urgent request for immediate assistance to the responsible flag State United Republic of Tanzania (Zanzibar) and port/coastal State Albania and to take urgent action, as appropriate and in conformity with the attached joint IMO/ILO Guidelines on how to deal with seafarer abandonment cases.
All information received will be recorded on the joint IMO/ILO database of abandonment of seafarers.
29 July 2026: Other
On January 8, 2026, a cement cargo ship M/V Besart flying the Tanzanian flag ran aground off the northern Albanian coast near Tale following a storm. We have spoken with the crew, and to this day they have been unable to leave the ship. The crew members have not received any wages from the shipping company for a year. The crew members are Syrian nationals. According to their statements, all five crew members have identification documents with them.
After a lengthy conversation in English with one of the five crew members, it became clear that the crew members simply want to go home!
The Albanian authorities, the police, and the Albanian owner of the ship are aware of the situation. So far, no action has been taken or assistance provided. On the contrary, the men are being left to fend for themselves. They are merely being supplied with food. One of the crew members is diabetic. The situation on board is catastrophic! Since the ship is listing, the men can neither eat properly nor sleep. Temperatures on board are extreme, and there is no electricity.
The crew feels as if they are in prison and is being put off week after week by the owner.
These are inhumane conditions. The men urgently need help. I hope you will take up this matter.
I would appreciate a response regarding the steps taken to the following address:
***@outlook.de
I am also attaching a photo of the stranded freighter.
22 April 2026: United Republic of Tanzania
(From the High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania)
Under investigation; Administration pursuing updates.
5 January 2026: Other
(From the M.A. SHIP MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED)
We again reminding that our crew are expecting the Wages from Owner
We have only hope from ITF/IMO/ILO all authorities to get our crew Wages from Owner
We request kindly arrest the vessel then Owner will transfer their Wages to our crew Account
4 December 2025: International Labour Organization
The information provided by M.A. SHIP MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED has been successfully added to the ILO/IMO Joint Database on Abandonment of Seafarers.
Regarding the BESART (IMO 8104591) case, please note that repeated requests for urgent resolution have been raised since 30 July. I would therefore appreciate your prompt attention and action to enable swift intervention by the relevant authorities.
3 December 2025: Other
(From the M.A. SHIP MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED)
We humble Again request all Authorities (ITF/ILO/IMO) that our crew still not received their Wages kindly look in this matter as most important
If our crew can get their Wages they can survive the family because all our crew is breadwinner of their family
We have attached our all crew contract letter and Owner's letter mentioned that the owner will pay all pending Wages at the end of september 2025 we have also attached owner's passport copy.
17 November 2025: Other
(From the M.A. SHIP MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED)
We are again reminding of our crew who sailed M V BESART still waiting for their Wages.
Owner was given last date of September 2025 but now November month is going on
We request all Authorities kindly look in this matter seriously as our Crew can get their pending Wages from owner
We have attached our all crew contract letter and Owner's letter mentioned that september 2025 he promised for all crew Wages also i have attached owner's passport copy
31 July 2025: International Transport Workers' Federation
The crew were repatriated home. An independent lawyer in Albania was appointed by them to try to secure payment of their outstanding wages.
Disputed.
30 July 2025: Other
(From the M.A. SHIP MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED)
Request for Immediate Action Regarding Unpaid Salaries of our Crew Members from M/V Besart (IMO 8104591)
We, M A Ship Management, write to express our deep concern and seek urgent intervention regarding the unpaid salaries of three of our crew members who were signed off from M/V Besart. Please note that the sign-off and repatriation were arranged and funded by us, not the ship owner (Mr *****/Mo:+*****).
The ship owner has provided a declaration stating that the full outstanding wages will be transferred by the end of September 2025. This extended delay is unreasonable and places undue financial hardship on the affected seafarers and their families.
Given the prolonged non-payment, we urgently request that the concerned authorities exert pressure on the ship owner to immediately release at least 4 to 5 months’ salary into the crew members’ respective accounts to enable them to meet essential living needs. The balance can be settled as per the owner’s commitment at the end of September 2025.
Furthermore, in light of the seriousness of this matter, we humbly request that the vessel M/V Besart be detained until the crew wages are fully cleared.
We trust that you will treat this matter with the seriousness and urgency it deserves and take the necessary steps to protect the rights and welfare of these seafarers.
We have attached our crew signed copy of declaration by ship owner and account details, pending wages of list of all crew members
Below our Crew members name
1. ***** (Bosun)
2. ***** (AB)
3. ***** (OILER)
11 November 2024: Other
(by S & P Global)
Unfortunately (and despite the kin intervention of the IMO Regional Presence Office) we are having huge problems receiving responses from Tanzania.
FYI we had communication from them in September and when attempting to respond / answer 2 days later all our messages were returned as undelivered. Via your Regional Office we obtained “new” contact details but still no response.
Having said that after further investigation we have updated the vessel name to BESART and the flag to Tanzania.
This is based on a MED MOU inspection that took place in Sousse, Tunisia on 16th February 2024. Whilst no ISM manager was given and no class society was mentioned it was confirmed that the following 3 certificates were issued by Tanzania
– MINIMUM SAFE MANNING DOCUMENT
– TONNAGE
– CONTINUOUS SYNOPSIS RECORDS
All certificates valid from 19th January 2024.
Based on certificate dates we have updated to Tanzania flag effective 19th January 2024.
11 November 2024: International Maritime Organisation
On the IMO GISIS, the vessel with IMO Number 8104591 is listed as MASTROKOSTAS, not BESART, and the flag state has been UNKNOWN since 1 February 2024, not the United Republic of Tanzania (Zanzibar).
4 November 2024: International Transport Workers' Federation
Albanian owners. The vessel has major engine failure.