Sondos
13 seafarers abandoned on the Sondos (IMO 9268186, flag Antigua and Barbuda) in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 1 May 2025. ILO case 1453, status: Resolved.
- Status
- Resolved
- Abandonment ID
- 1453
- IMO Number
- 9268186
- Flag
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Port of Abandonment
- Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Abandonment Date
- 1 May 2025
- Notification Date
- 4 September 2025
- Seafarers
- 13
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Outstanding wages between 3 and 6 months
Seafarers applied to insurer?: No
Insurance certificate dates: 24th April 2025 to 25th April 2026
Updates
18 November 2025: International Transport Workers' Federation
All crew repatriated with owed wages.
Resolved.
13 November 2025: Antigua and Barbuda
(From the ADOMS)
we received this today: have asked for more details on the settlement
On behalf of all crews, we would like to say thank you very much for your kindness and helpful support to MT SONDOS. Via a reliable source
Master/SONDOS
11 November 2025: Antigua and Barbuda
(From the ADOMS)
Please find below an update on the current situation concerning the SONDOS (IMO 9268186):
• The SONDOS was registered under the Antigua and Barbuda flag on 18 July 2024.
• On 21 August 2025, the vessel and its managers (Ozarka Shipping) were placed under U.S. OFAC sanctions.
• On 22nd August 2025 Hydor AS the MLC insurance provider cancelled the insurance
• On 23rd Aug 2025, a formal Notice of Intent to Deregister was issued by this flag administration, and the vessel was deleted from the Antigua and Barbuda Ship Register effective 30 September 2025.
• Consequently, this Administration no longer holds regulatory control or jurisdictional authority over the vessel from 30 Sep 2025.
• The first notification from the ITF regarding crew welfare concerns—specifically non-payment of wages (since June 2025, one case since March 2025), shortages of provisions, and delayed repatriation—was received on 3 September 2025.
• On receipt of notification from ITF on 3rd Sep 2025, ADOMS–Dubai engaged with the ship managers / interests, who stated that provisions were supplied and that they had not received direct complaints from the crew. However, this could not be independently verified due to the vessel’s isolation and loss of communication links.
• During the time the SONDOS held valid MLC certification, no complaints had been received directly from any of the crew through the MLC complaint mechanisms. The first notification from the crew side was received from Mrs. Rose Win, the wife of a seafarer on 21st Oct 2025.
• Following the imposition of sanctions, the owner and managers have been effectively cut off from the global financial system (SWIFT), which has prevented payment of wages, renewal of P&I and MLC insurance, and procurement of stores or supplies.
• The vessel is reported stateless and located outside port limits.
• ADOMS–Dubai continues to monitor the situation and liaise with the last managers, port authorities, and MLC insurers to verify crew welfare and to explore possible options purely on humanitarian grounds.
• ADOMS–Dubai has also advised that since the SONDOS remains at outer anchorage in the UAE, boarding is not permitted, and both the Federal Transport Authority and port authorities have limited jurisdiction or willingness to act. Their engagement is therefore restricted to maintaining constructive communication aimed at securing basic relief for the crew.
• The situation remains highly constrained, as the vessel’s sanctioned status precludes reflagging, renewal of insurance, or replacement of crew. Despite these challenges, ADOMS–Dubai remains actively engaged in seeking a practical humanitarian resolution, even though the vessel lies in international waters.
• ADOMS HQ is also engaging with the last MLC insurer Hydor AS to seek any positive outcome.
It is recognized that the SONDOS was last registered with Antigua and Barbuda. However, it should be noted that this situation is not unique to our Administration. Several major flag States may have faced similar difficulties following the imposition of sanctions, which have led to the financial isolation of shipowners and subsequent crew abandonment cases. The SONDOS incident is therefore part of a wider systemic issue, in which seafarers become unintended victims of geopolitical and financial restrictions.
While ADOMS acted promptly and fully within its jurisdiction—by issuing deregistration and maintaining communication with all relevant parties—it is evident that a sustainable resolution will require international coordination through the IMO and ILO, particularly to establish a structured humanitarian framework for seafarers affected by sanctions.
We trust the above provides a clear update on this matter.