OML Intervention I

7 seafarers abandoned on the OML Intervention I (IMO 9787326, flag Panama) in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, 1 March 2026. ILO case 1663, status: Unresolved.

Status
Unresolved
Abandonment ID
1663
IMO Number
9787326
Flag
Panama
Port of Abandonment
Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia
Abandonment Date
1 March 2026
Notification Date
12 March 2026
Seafarers
7
Reporting Org.
International Transport Workers' Federation

Circumstances

Outstanding wages for 2 months, the entire crew reported that they are operating on expired contracts.

Seafarers applied to insurer?: Yes
Insurance certificate dates: 20th February 2026 to 30th March 2026

Updates

22 June 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
OML Intervention 1: The seafarers were invited to the Management office last night and were paid March, April and Visa expenses. They were promised to be paid May and days of June next Monday and will be repatriated are looking forward to it, to progress on this MLC Abandonment and close the case.

22 June 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
In light of the anticipated reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and following welcome reports of a 60-day pause in the conflict after a prolonged period of uncertainty, the ITF wishes to draw attention to several urgent cases involving vessels whose crews have been abandoned in the Gulf due to the absence of responsible shipowners.

The ITF is concerned that, as maritime traffic resumes in the region, the fate of abandoned seafarers will be overlooked, with little prospect of resolution anytime soon.

We believe this presents an opportunity for the ILO and IMO, through their diplomatic channels, to help address the dire situation faced by these seafarers, who now simply wish to return home after being caught in circumstances entirely beyond their control.

It is also an opportunity to highlight to coastal states in the Persian Gulf the risks posed by unscrupulous shipowners who may seek to exploit the region as a place to abandon ships and seafarers.

Among the many cases reported to us, we believe those outlined below are particularly urgent and require immediate intervention by UN agencies. All possible efforts by our representatives to engage with flag states, port authorities, P&I clubs, and ship agents, have not yet resulted in any tangible improvement in the crews’ wellbeing.

4. OML INTERVENTION I, IMO 9787326 (PAN) (Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia) – Three Indonesian, one Indian and one Tanzanian crew members remain on board while the rest of the crew have been repatriated. These seafarers have been left behind with limited food, no fuel, and are forced to sleep on deck.

There are many other cases in addition to those listed above; however, we would be grateful if priority could be given to these, as the remaining seafarers appear to have reached breaking point. We are increasingly concerned about their welfare and the risk of self-harm if their situation is not urgently resolved.

All relevant flag states were contacted when the seafarers first approached us; however, little progress has been made in addressing their situation.

The ITF would welcome the opportunity to discuss these cases further and to engage with the relevant port states in the countries where the seafarers remain abandoned.

We have attached a video received from the crew of the Almaher, which illustrates more clearly than words alone the stressful situation and conditions the seafarers are currently enduring.

13 April 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
Thank you for your message, the requested crew list will be sent directly to DG Shipping India.

10 April 2026: Other
(From the Bridgeview Maritime Pvt. Ltd)

Reference trailing email received from our government, we request you to provide the crew list as per the abandonment crew nationality India (03) notified dated 01.03.2026 for vessel OML INTERVENTION I, IMO Number 9787326, flag: Panama, at Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia.

1 April 2026: International Maritime Organisation
The insurer is reportedly: The Shipowners Club, however Hydor AS is recorded on Equasis on 20/02/2024

12 March 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
1 Croatian seafarer was repatriated on the 19th January without wages

ILO record · Map of all abandonment cases