Vinashin Ocean Shipping Company Ltd. (Vinashinlines), an affiliate of Vinalines, has been unable to support their own sailors who are are calling for help from overseas.
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Vinashinlines went into bankruptcy in early 2013 because of mounting debts, and also pending the restructuring of Vinalines.
The crew members were stuck in various countries, including China, India, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. According to them, they were lacking the fuel necessary to make the return voyage and even funds for daily provisions.
Reportedly many of their sailors have sent multiple distress messages back to Vietnam, claiming that Vinashinlines has abandoned them overseas. They said that not only had they not received adequate support, but that their wages had not been paid for months.
Nguyen Que Duong, General Director of Vinashinlines, admitted that they owe employees' wages but denied the accusation that the sailors are suffering from shortages of food or water. "We just sent money for living expenses to our sailors abroad. We will check if they have been able to receive the funds. With help from the government, we will be able to provide financial support until the end of March," he said.
According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the ships owned by the company accounted for 3% of the national fleet. Most of them were built in the 80s, and may be sold off to repay debts.
The company is now trying to sell the seven ships that are docked overseas.
The government has requested that Vinashinlines find ways to sell off their concrete assets, including ships, by June.