Claims total $364,000
The International Transport Workers’ Federation stated that Singapore-based Hako Offshore has settled crew-wage claims on four vessels totalling $364,000.
The company has kept a pledge to clear outstanding payments by 25 June, some of which can be traced back three months.
The move follows threats by the ITF to instigate legal proceedings against the 6,000-bhp anchor-handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel Hako Faithful (built 2009) when it arrived in South Africa. John Wood of the ITF mentions that South Africa continues to be seen as a favourable jurisdiction for pursuing claims.
Hako acknowledged that wages were owed but described the company as being in a “tight cash environment” and seeking “everyone’s assistance on this matter”.
“We sincerely apologise for this delay, which is unfortunate, and regret the inconvenience it has caused but we are confident that we will resolve these issues on or before 25 June,” said the e-mail.
Wood confirmed this week that payments had been settled for the period to the end of May for the Hako Faithful, the 4,000-bhp AHTS vessels Swordfish 1 and Swordfish 3 (both built 2010), as well as the tug Hako 60 (built 2009).
The three AHTS ships are listed as belonging to Singapore-based Otto Marine, whose wholly owned arm, Otto Ventures, was said last summer to have agreed to acquire an almost 20% stake in Hako.
Wood stated that unpaid crews is not a rare phenomenon and that this situation is becoming the norm.