METIN HUSEYNOV

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Crews of abandoned ships left in limbo

Aboard several ships of the Turkish company Palmali, the crews have worked for a year or more, but did not receive the money earned. The 'Caspian Mariner' in Istanbul is one on the list of abandoned Palmali vessels. Others are the 'Agdash' and 'Captain Nagdaliyev'. The crews of the 'Captain Nagdaliyev' and 'Agdash' were already assisted by an ITF coordinator. The 'Agdash', anchored in the Siez Canal has also an expired validity of registration and insurance certificate. The crew of 'Captain Nagdaliyev' was in a dangerous position, only a ton of drinking water remained on the ship. Despite this, the sailors continued to fulfill their duties. At the same time, families have been sitting for several months without money. The situation with the crew of the 'Captain Nagdaliyev' is even more complicated.Since May 12, 2020, the tanker has been under arrest for Palmali debts. Large amounts were not paid for the bunker. The company owed debts to all crew members. The sailors worked out the contracts, and then they had to stay on board for another 4-10 months. They did not receive money, but they even heard threats addressed to them. The 'Caspian Mariner' was waiting for repairs on the roads of the port of Yalova. Air conditioning and fans do not work on board in times with more than 30 degrees C during the day and 28-30 degrees at night. The crew has worked for a year or more and did not get paid all the time. There was no help from the company. Moreover, the sailors were intimidated and forced to sign fake payroll statements.

Detained vessel released in Poti

The "Caspian Mariner" was detained at the port of Poti late in January and start of February 2019, after the vessel polluted the port waters with oil products. The vessel was fined 65,000 Georgian Lari (US$24,000) for the environmental damage caused by the pollution. Following the payment of the fine, the vessel was released from detention and was permitted to depart the port of Poti on Feb 5. On Feb 22 it berthed in Istanbul and continued to Marmara Ereglisi on Feb 26.