Nineteen crew members of a Vinalines ship lying in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are calling for help as they have been out of food and water and have not been paid for many months.
Diamond Way Ship
The Diamond Way, operated by Vinashin Ocean Shipping Company Ltd. (Vinashinlines), an affiliate of Vinalines, has been docked at Jebel Ali Port for the past two months.
The sailors said that since September 1, they had sent three telegrams to inform their situation to the Ministry of Transport, the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Vinalines and Vinashinlines three times, but to date, had not yet received a reply.
“Vinashinlines has not paid us our salary for many months, while the ship has run out of food, drink, cooking oil and electricity,” a crew member said.
The only way for them to survive is using firewood to cook rice taken from the ship’s hold and fish they caught at the port despite the local authority fishing ban.
The sailors said that they would have to leave the ship to shelter at the Vietnamese Embassy in UAE if the situation did not improve. "We’ll soon give and leave the vessel, and not be held responsible for its possible damage if our living conditions aren’t ensured,” a sailor said.
DTiNews tried to contact Vinashinlines, but its Acting Director Mai Van Khang refused to answer questions, saying that he was busy for a meeting.
Speaking with DTiNews, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Cong said, “The ministry has received information about the current situation.”
Cong added that the ministry has urged Vinashinlines to firstly ensure food was provided for the sailors. The official also noted that this is a common issue facing Vinashinlines.
Earlier, in July this year, the Diamond Way was seized in India by a supplier due to failing to pay its oil fees in time.
Diamond Way, is among 16 ships run by Vinashinlines.
Other Vinashinlines also lie stranded in foreign ports because the company is facing too many financial problems.