Fako Njorku I
9 seafarers abandoned on the Fako Njorku I (IMO 8112392, flag Honduras) in Cairns, Australia, 11 April 2026. ILO case 1755, status: Resolved.
- Status
- Resolved
- Abandonment ID
- 1755
- IMO Number
- 8112392
- Flag
- Honduras
- Port of Abandonment
- Cairns, Australia
- Abandonment Date
- 11 April 2026
- Notification Date
- 17 June 2026
- Seafarers
- 9
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Outstanding wages for 4 months
Seafarers applied to insurer?: No
Insurance certificate dates: N/A
Updates
10 August 2026: International Maritime Organisation
The received information is duly noted and will be recorded on the joint IMO/ILO database on abandonment of seafarers. I herewith would like to invite ITF who initially reported the new abandonment case to provide for possibly further information regarding the status of the abandonment case.
10 August 2026: Honduras
(From the Permanent Mission to the IMO)
I have the honour to refer to your communication concerning the reported case of abandonment of seafarers involving the tug “FAKO NJORKU I” (IMO No. 8112392), registered under the flag of Honduras, and to the request for comments from the Honduran authorities in relation to the corresponding entry in the IMO/ILO Joint Database on Abandonment of Seafarers.
In this regard, I am pleased to transmit herewith the response received from the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine of Honduras, together with the documentary evidence provided to that Authority in connection with this matter.
The documentation includes a communication dated 4 August 2026 from Ortelius, acting on behalf of Five Stars, the registered owners of the tug FAKO NJORKU I, setting out the owners’ position regarding the circumstances reported and enclosing supporting documentation in relation to the payment of the crew’s outstanding wages.
According to the information submitted to the Honduran Maritime Authority, the owners state that the delay in the payment of wages resulted from difficulties affecting the processing of international bank transfers and that, following the resolution of those difficulties, the outstanding wages were processed and paid in full. The owners have also provided documentary evidence in support of their statements and have requested that the matter be reviewed accordingly.
The General Directorate of the Merchant Marine of Honduras has forwarded this documentation to this Permanent Mission for transmission to the IMO Secretariat and has reiterated its willingness to provide any additional information that may be required in connection with the case.
I would therefore be grateful if the enclosed documentation could be taken into consideration in the review and verification of the case and, as appropriate, in the corresponding entry in the IMO/ILO Joint Database on Abandonment of Seafarers.
Please find enclosed the communication from the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine of Honduras, the letter submitted by Ortelius on behalf of the registered owners, and the accompanying supporting documentation.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.
10 August 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
Crew paid their owed wages. Resolved.
8 August 2026: International Maritime Organisation
The received information is duly noted and will be recorded on the joint IMO/ILO database on abandonment of seafarers. I herewith would like to invite ITF who initially reported the new abandonment case to provide for possibly further information regarding the identity of the Latvian seafarer.
8 August 2026: Latvia
(From the Registry of Seamen of the Maritime Administration of Latvia)
Thank you for your email and for informing us about the reported abandonment case concerning the tug Fako Njorku I (IMO No. 8112392).
We have reviewed the information provided, including the reported involvement of one Latvian seafarer. Representatives of the Registry of Seamen of the Maritime Administration of Latvia have been unable to identify any connection between this vessel and Latvian crewing companies. Furthermore, they have not been able to identify a Latvian seafarer who could have been serving on board this vessel based on the information currently available.
If you have any additional information that could assist us in identifying the Latvian seafarer concerned or establishing a possible link with a Latvian crewing company, we would appreciate it if you could share it with us.
At this stage, we have no further information that would enable us to confirm or comment on the reported case. Should we receive any relevant information, we will inform you accordingly.
7 August 2026: Australia
(From the Australian Maritime Safety Authority)
Regarding the status of this vessel - ‘Fako Njorku I’ and its crew, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) does not consider the vessel to be abandoned. The vessel remains detained for port State control (PSC) deficiencies while rectification work is completed, and all outstanding crew wages have now been paid. AMSA has maintained regular engagement with the crew throughout this process, and recent interviews confirmed they are satisfied with the current arrangements and have not raised any further concerns.
Accordingly, AMSA does not consider that this case should be recorded in the abandonment database.
A follow-up inspection will be required from AMSA before the vessel is released from detention, and any further issues identified at that time will be addressed.
Below is a summary of the information we have currently:
• On 15 June 2026, AMSA received a complaint from the ITF alleging unpaid wages for up to 3 months, inadequate provisions, lack of insurance cover, concerns regarding employment documentation and vias, and refusal of repatriation requests for two crew members.
• AMSA attended the vessel on 15, 17 and 24 June 2026 to undertake inspections and investigate the allegations.
• While abandonment was not substantiated, AMSA identified delays in wage payment issues.
• AMSA issued Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and PSC deficiencies to the vessel.
• It was confirmed that adequate provisions, potable water and shore access arrangements were available onboard.
• AMSA detained the vessel on 1 July 2026 under the MLC for the under payment of wages, and several other PSC deficiencies.
The detainable MLC deficiencies related to unpaid wages for April, May and June of 2026, and an expired Certificate of Insurance for seafarers.
• Two crew members have since been repatriated.
• On 4 August 2026, AMSA confirmed with both the crew and vessel owner that all outstanding wages had been paid and were up to date.
• AMSA continues close engagement and liaison with the crew and vessel owner.
Recent interviews confirmed crew are satisfied with current arrangements and have not raised any complaints.
• The vessel remains under detention pending rectification of PSC deficiencies and follow-up inspection from AMSA.
Please let us know if you require any additional information or clarification.
31 July 2026: Other
Comments from S&P Global (who manage GISIS vessel data on behalf of IMO):
Vessel changed to Honduras flag in February 2026 confirmed in their February monthly data feed we receive.
30 July 2026: International Maritime Organisation
Flag: Honduras on IMO GISIS, before 1 February 2026: Australia
17 June 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
Crew have reported that they are made to buy their own provisions.