MK Tiger
20 seafarers abandoned on the MK Tiger (IMO 9548160, flag Panama) in Muar, Malaysia, 1 December 2025. ILO case 1621, status: Unresolved.
- Status
- Unresolved
- Abandonment ID
- 1621
- IMO Number
- 9548160
- Flag
- Panama
- Port of Abandonment
- Muar, Malaysia
- Abandonment Date
- 1 December 2025
- Notification Date
- 12 February 2026
- Seafarers
- 20
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Outstanding wages for 4 months
Seafarers applied to insurer?: No
Insurance certificate dates: 31st January 2026 to 31st January 2027
Updates
24 August 2026: Other
(From the seafarers)
I am writing on behalf of the entire crew of M.T. MK TIGER to formally submit a complaint regarding the non-payment of our wages, which have now remained outstanding for approximately five (5) months.
Despite our continuous efforts to resolve this matter through the appropriate channels and with the relevant authorities, the situation remains unresolved. The prolonged non-payment of our wages has caused severe financial hardship, emotional distress, and significant uncertainty for all members of the crew.
The crew has previously sought assistance from the following organizations and authorities:
• ITF Australia – ***
• ITF Malaysia – ***
• Malaysia Maritime Authority, which has detained the vessel due to the ongoing labour dispute.
• Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Indonesian Seafarers’ Union SAKTI
Despite our efforts and the involvement of the above-mentioned organizations and authorities, our outstanding wages remain unpaid.
Furthermore, an ITF inspection team from Malaysia boarded the vessel and advised the crew to terminate their employment without receiving payment of the outstanding wages and to seek employment elsewhere. While we appreciate their concern for the welfare of the crew, we respectfully consider this recommendation to be fundamentally unfair, as it would leave the crew without the wages they have lawfully earned after months of service.
We have also been informed that our outstanding wages cannot be recovered through the vessel’s insurance. Consequently, the crew currently has no effective means of obtaining the wages to which we are legally entitled.
We respectfully submit that this situation constitutes a serious violation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), particularly the provisions concerning the timely payment of wages and the protection of seafarers’ rights and welfare.
Many members of the crew have families who depend entirely on their wages to meet their daily living expenses and other essential financial obligations. After approximately five months without receiving our wages, we are experiencing severe financial difficulties, emotional distress, and considerable uncertainty regarding our future.
In view of the seriousness and prolonged nature of this matter, we respectfully request that the Panama Flag Administration and the International Labour Organization (ILO) urgently intervene and take appropriate action, including:
1. Conducting an immediate investigation into the non-payment of crew wages and the circumstances surrounding this matter.
2. Requiring the shipowner and the company to settle all outstanding wages owed to every crew member without further delay.
3. Ensuring that the shipowner fully complies with the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) and all applicable requirements concerning seafarers’ wages, employment conditions, and welfare.
4. Taking all appropriate enforcement measures necessary to protect the legal rights, welfare, and financial interests of the crew.
We are prepared to provide all relevant supporting documentation, including employment contracts, wage records, vessel information, correspondence with the company and relevant authorities, records of our previous complaints, and any additional evidence required for your investigation.
We sincerely appreciate your urgent attention to this serious matter. We respectfully request your immediate intervention to help ensure that our outstanding wages are paid without further delay and that the rights and welfare of every crew member are properly protected.
Thank you for your consideration and assistance.
1 July 2026: International Maritime Organisation
The information is duly noted and will be recorded on the joint database on abandonment of seafarers. I herewith would like to request ITF who initially reported this case about the status thereof.
1 July 2026: Panama
(From Panama Maritime Authority)
I am writing regarding the complaint filed against the vessel MK TIGER on February 9, 2026—specifically by crew member Fourth Officer ***. This complaint was closed on April 13, 2026, following the submission of payment receipts and a document signed by Mr. *** stating that he was satisfied with the payments received.
However, the record has not yet been updated in the Abandonment Flag State Database. I respectfully request that you update the status of this complaint, as the matter has been resolved.
11 March 2026: Other
(From the Lion Great Energy Pte Ltd)
We are writing to formally respond to the recent "Abandonment" classification issued by the ITF regarding vessels owned and managed by Lion Great Energy Pte Ltd.
We wish to state clearly that Lion Great Energy Pte Ltd has not abandoned its vessels or its crew. We are actively managing the current financial challenges and have made significant progress in rectifying the situation.
1. Progress on Wage Settlements
The company has already initiated and completed substantial payments to the crew members across the fleet.
* Evidence of Payment: Please find attached bank confirmation slips and remittance advice as proof of recent transfers.
* Remaining Balances: We acknowledge that minor outstanding wages remain on a few specific vessels. We are committed to settling these remaining amounts very soon and are working around the clock to finalize these transactions.
2. Operational Support & Crew Welfare
All vessels remain under our full operational control. We confirm the following:
* Provisions & Supplies: We continue to ensure that all vessels are provided with adequate food, fresh water, and fuel.
* Repatriation: We are in active communication with the Masters regarding any pending crew changes or repatriation requests.
* Communication: Our management remains in daily contact with the crew to provide updates on their payments.
3. Impact of ITF Pressure
While we recognize the ITF’s role in protecting seafarers, the current "Abandonment" declaration and the resulting pressure are creating significant obstacles for our management. These external actions are complicating our banking processes and slowing down our ability to complete the final settlements.
4. Our Commitment
We confirm that all outstanding issues can and will be solved through our own efforts. We are a responsible owner, and the current situation is an administrative delay, not an abandonment.
Vessel List:
MT.MK. JAGUAR / IMO Number 9152208
MT.MK TIGER / IMO Number 9548160
MT. MK HIPPO / IMO Number 9154957
We request that the ITF review the attached evidence of payment and update the status of our vessels accordingly. We are committed to full transparency and will provide further proof of payment as it becomes available.