Caribbean Pearl
7 seafarers abandoned on the Caribbean Pearl (IMO 8919831, flag Palau) in Suez Canal Southern Anchorage, Egypt, 1 August 2026. ILO case 1819, status: Unresolved.
- Status
- Unresolved
- Abandonment ID
- 1819
- IMO Number
- 8919831
- Flag
- Palau
- Port of Abandonment
- Suez Canal Southern Anchorage, Egypt
- Abandonment Date
- 1 August 2026
- Notification Date
- 17 August 2026
- Seafarers
- 7
- Reporting Org.
- International Transport Workers' Federation
Circumstances
Owed wages of 2 months. Insufficient amount of food, water, and fuel. Some have expired employment agreements.
Seafarers applied to insurer?: No
Insurance certificate dates: 6th October 2025 to 6th October 2026
Updates
9 September 2026: International Maritime Organisation
It is duly understood that the flag State Palau has enquired with the ships operator to revert with written submissions and evidence for immediate actions taken regarding the non-compliance of M/V CARIBBEAN PEARL, as issues onboard the vessel have escalated and immediate measures shall follow.
Therefore, I herewith would like to kindly invite the maritime authorities of the Palau Ship Registry to provide for an update what actions have been undertaken to resolve this severe abandonment case.
9 September 2026: Palau
(From the Palau Ship Registry)
Pursuant to the below correspondence, second abandonment has been reported on the M.V CARIBBEAN PEARL_8919831 as of 1 August 2026 (enclosed for your reference).
Kindly revert with your written submissions and evidence for actions taken regarding the non-compliance of M/V CARIBBEAN PEARL, as issues onboard the vessel have escalated and immediate measures shall follow.
Please revert with your comments and actions taken the soonest possible.
Looking forward to your active and proper communication for the resolution of the case.
Thank you for your attention.
7 September 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 an update on the status of the abandonment case.
7 September 2026: Belgium
(From the DG Shipping Belgium)
We thank you for the notification of 27 August 2026. Belgium, as the State of nationality of one of the seafarers listed, offers the following comments on the new entry.
The Belgian national left the vessel on 16 August 2026 and arrived in Belgium on 18 August 2026.
The total number of seafarers on board is no longer completely accurate.
The Belgian national arranged and paid for his own repatriation. Neither the shipowner, nor the financial security provider, nor the flag State, nor the port State provided any financial assistance.
All repatriation costs were paid personally, this includes the flight Cairo–Brussels (EUR 500), road transport from the anchorage to Cairo, and overnight accommodation and meals in Cairo pending the flight. The Belgian embassy at the time contacted the us (FPS Mobility and transport, DG Shipping, Legal Affairs, Human Element and Liability department) to assist our national in the repatriation but his actions were faster than foreseen and faster than the potential Embassy assistance.
He received no payment whatsoever for his entire period of service on board from 6 June to 16 August 2026 (a total of 71 days).
In accordance with paragraph 28 of the joint ILO/IMO Guidelines, a case is resolved only where all seafarers wishing to be repatriated have been repatriated AND all outstanding remuneration and contractual entitlements have been paid and received. The second condition is not met.
His claim comprises unpaid wages, pro rata leave, and the repatriation costs he paid for, which under MLC Standard A2.5.2, paragraphs 9(b) and 10, and MLC Standard A2.5.1, paragraphs 3 and 5(c), are not to be paid by the seafarer.
Belgium notes that the ITF has been asked to lodge the claim with the financial security provider.
The seafarer has not responded to recent approaches from the ITF.
As MLC Standard A2.5.2, paragraph 8, requires the request to be made by the seafarer or his nominated representative, the claim cannot presently be advanced without his participation. Belgium is seeking to re-establish contact and will inform the Secretariat of any development. Belgium has not incurred any repatriation costs and accordingly makes no claim for recovery.
We would be grateful if the database record could reflect the above.
Belgium considers the two entries for this vessel to concern one continuing abandonment rather than separate cases, since the shipowner's position of non-payment towards the crew has been continuing since 9 May 2026.
Finally, I noticed that I was not included in this email, despite being responsible for the handling and follow-up of this matter.
Thank you for your understanding.
28 August 2026: Palau
(From the Palau Ship Registry)
In response to the below received eMail notification regarding the vessel CARIBBEAN PEARL (8919831), we would like to confirm that this Flag Administration has initiated additional communication with the related parties for the resolution of the case/previous disputed case and will provide any updates, as appropriate.
27 August 2026: International Maritime Organisation
This is the second report concerning the same vessel which was already earlier notified on 26 June 2026 then having on board 13 seafarers from Azerbaijan (1), Colombia (3), Ecuador (1), Panama (1), Spain (1), and Venezuela (6) who were abandoned in Suez Canal, Egypt on 9 May 2026. There were then outstanding wages for 4 months. There was also a reported case of harassment involving the only female seafarer whose employment contract expired on 16 April 2026. The owners and operators have neither arranged for her repatriation nor arranged for others who have requested to be sent home. No medical attention has been provided to crew members with reported skin illnesses and diabetes.
17 August 2026: International Transport Workers' Federation
This vessel has an open case of abandonment for 8 of the previous crew members who were repatriated 2 months ago but have not been paid their wages. Vessel has a significant garbage accumulation and a roach infestation, the sewage treatment plant is out of service causing odors in the living spaces. Two seafarers are suffering medical issues. Vessel is under legal arrest due to owed debts to local suppliers.