Seven Indian seafarers allegedly stranded aboard the oil products tanker MV Sea Star 2 at Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi for 11 months have been repatriated, while efforts are under way to bring home the remaining crew members.In a post on X, the Embassy said it “is closely following up with local authorities on the welfare and early repatriation of Indian seafarers stranded aboard SEA STAR 2. Seven seafarers have already been repatriated, and efforts are underway for the safe and early repatriation of the remaining seafarers.”According to FSUI, the remaining seafarers have not received wages for five months. The union also alleged that the vessel’s owner deducted visa and travel expenses from earlier payments and that important travel documents remain under the control of port authorities.FSUI had urged the ministry of external affairs, Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and International Transport Workers’ Federation to intervene, demanding payment of the outstanding wages and immediate repatriation of the crew.
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India steps up focus on seafarer safety
The development comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in waters affected by the Iran conflict. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently said the “welfare and safety of India’s seafaring community remains a high priority” and that New Delhi raises such issues with relevant authorities whenever they arise.His comments followed the release of footage by FSUI alleging that Iranian naval forces had harassed a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22.According to the union, the Panama-flagged vessel was carrying 22 crew members, including 21 Indians, when it was surrounded by small armed boats. FSUI alleged that the boats belonged to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy and that an RPG was fired at the vessel, forcing crew members to take shelter inside the ship.FSUI has used the incident to call for “direct naval escorts and stronger physical protection” for Indian seafarers operating in high-risk maritime zones.