Phospherus NH
21 seafarers abandoned on the Phospherus NH (IMO 9118795, flag Belize) in Freeport anchorage, Bahamas, 31 October 2025. ILO case 1535, status: Resolved.
- Status
- Resolved
- Abandonment ID
- 1535
- IMO Number
- 9118795
- Flag
- Belize
- Port of Abandonment
- Freeport anchorage, Bahamas
- Abandonment Date
- 31 October 2025
- Notification Date
- 20 November 2025
- Seafarers
- 21
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Outstanding wages for 2 months. Lack of provisions and portable water
Seafarers applied to insurer?: No
Insurance certificate dates: 16th October 2025 to 16th October 2026
Updates
26 March 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
Crew repatriated with full wages.
Resolved.
16 January 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
All but 1 crew member paid and repatriated. Disputed.
3 December 2025: Belize
(From the IMMARBE)
Please find below IMMARBE’s official comments and verification regarding the reported abandonment case for the PHOSPHERUS NH, IMO 9118795, currently at Freeport Anchorage, Bahamas.
1. Verification of Reported Information
Our Administration confirms the following:
• Vessel: PHOSPHERUS NH
• IMO Number: 9118795
• Flag: Belize
• Vessel Type: General Cargo Ship
• Number of Crew: 21 seafarers
• Nationalities: Egypt – 1, Lithuania – 1, Syria – 19
• Number of Complaining Crew Members: 10
• Location of Incident: Freeport Anchorage, Bahamas
• Date of Abandonment (as per IMO definition): 31 October 2025
• P&I Provider: HYDOR (Financial Security Provider)
IMMARBE confirms that the situation meets the criteria of seafarer abandonment under MLC Standard A2.5.2, specifically:
• Non-payment of wages
• Failure to repatriate
• Lack of essential provisions (food & water shortages)
• Owner’s failure to maintain operational responsibility
2. Chronological Summary of Actions Taken by IMMARBE
Below is the documented record of all steps taken by the Belize Administration.
• November 13, 2025 – Initial Complaint Received
IMMARBE received a complaint from the ITF reporting:
• Non-payment of wages for August, September, and October 2025
• Crew members wishing to be repatriated
• Lack of provisions and deterioration of onboard conditions
• November 13, 2025 – First Official Notice to the Operator
A formal communication was sent requesting:
• Immediate payment of overdue wages
• Repatriation arrangements
• Updated crew list and wage records
• An official corrective action plan
• The operator failed to provide a sufficient response.
• 20 November 2025 – IMMARBE Response to ITF With Updated Evidence
IMMARBE acknowledged new videos and images showing severely deteriorated potable water, an unsafe drinking water tank, and critically low food supplies, confirming serious breaches of MLC Regulation 3.2.
We informed ITF that:
• the operators had repeatedly been instructed to rectify the violations (including unpaid wages and lack of provisions),
• seafarers requesting repatriation must receive wages and be repatriated at no cost as required under MLC A2.5.2, and
• IMMARBE would continue taking all necessary action and keep the ITF copied on all correspondence.
• 20 November 2025 – Email to Bahamian Port Authority
IMMARBE informed the Bahamian Maritime Authority of the ongoing MLC concerns on PHOSPHERUS NH and shared the updated Prohibition of Sailing Notice (PSN).
We requested their intervention and support as the vessel is anchored in their port and emphasized the need for immediate action to safeguard the crew’s welfare.
• 20 November 2025 – Prohibition of Sailing Notice (PSN) Issued
• Due to continued and serious MLC violations, including non-payment of wages, inadequate provisions, and failure to repatriate, IMMARBE formally issued Prohibition of Sailing Notice (PSN).
The vessel is prohibited from conducting any operations while flying the Belize flag until:
• all outstanding wages were paid;
• sufficient provisions and potable water were provided;
• repatriation was arranged for all crew requesting it;
• a corrective action plan was submitted by owners/operators.
• 22 November 2025 – Third Notice to the Operator
We issued an urgent communication warning of:
• Possible administrative penalties
• Escalation to IMO
• Requirement for immediate proof of payment and repatriation arrangements
• 26 November 2025 – IMMARBE Contacts Arsenal Insurance
Because wages were outstanding prior to 18 October 2025, we contacted Arsenal, the former P&I provider, to activate wage claims.
• 27 November 2025 – ITF Reports delivery of provisions lasting for a week
• ITF provided an update confirming the crew had been without adequate food and water for several days.
• ITF reported that the ship’s agent delivered limited provisions and drinking water on 26 November, sufficient for approximately one week.
• ITF reiterated that wages remain unpaid since August and that crew repatriation issues persist.
• 01 December 2025 – IMMARBE Contacts Hydor
• We initiated contact with Hydor as the financial security provider for the period after 18 October 2025.
• We requested prompt activation of MLC financial security under Regulation 2.5.2 (wages + repatriation).
• P&I provider told us that they are investigating this matter with the owners
• 01 December 2025 – Formal Notice to Owners/Operators
IMMARBE issued a strong reminder to the owners and operators regarding the continued deterioration of conditions on board PHOSPHERUS NH. We highlighted that the crew were still unpaid for nearly three months, repatriation had not been arranged. We reiterated that the situation constitutes clear MLC violations, including wages, repatriation, food and water, and abandonment obligations.
We urgently required proof of wage payments, confirmed repatriation arrangements, and a corrective action plan, and notified them that failure to comply would result in escalation and administrative sanctions.
• 03 December 2025- Bahamas Port Authority update
The Bahamas Port Authority, together with the Bahamas Maritime Authority, boarded the vessel to conduct a crew wellness check and a Port State Control inspection. A PSC detention order was issued due to the vessel’s poor condition. Authorities confirmed that provisions were delivered, several crew members wish to be repatriated, and that no forced removal of crew had occurred. The ITF requested that IMMARBE contact the P&I Club (Hydor) to activate the abandonment and repatriation process. The Master’s contact details were also provided for direct communication.
3. Current Status (As of 3 December 2025)
• Crew have not been paid for nearly three months.
• Majority of crew seek immediate repatriation.
• The company is non-responsive.
• Both P&I providers (Arsenal and Hydor) have not activated financial security yet.
• Living conditions deteriorated until provisions were delivered through the ship agent.
The Belize Administration considers this case official seafarer abandonment.
4. Next Steps by IMMARBE
• Continue engaging Hydor and Arsenal until financial security is activated.
• Issue more notices to the operator demanding immediate settlement.
• Maintain continuous communication with ITF and the crew.
• Provide the IMO with any additional updates as the situation develops.
Please let us know if further clarification or additional documentation is required. We remain available to provide continued updates or supporting evidence.
20 November 2025: International Transport Workers' Federation
Crew complaining are Syrians. The vessel is under a Prohibition of Sailing notice from the flag.