The UAE Federal Transport Authority (FTA) for Land and Maritime has banned all ships belonging to Venous Ship Management and Operation LLC, based in Fujairah, for not protecting seafarers’ rights, operating in the UAE waters.
An official circular by the Authority issued last Monday reads:
Ships belonging to Venous Ship Management and Operation LLC, or belonging to the owners of the said company, are banned from operating in UAE ports and waters, or anchoring in UAE waters.
Following several complaints by Indian seafarers that were found in distress in UAE waters, the Indian Consulate in Dubai had blacklisted the same company in an advisory back in July 2017. Through social media, the consulate thanked the FTA for this move:
Happy that action has been taken against M/s Venous Ship Management on whose ship (Athens 99) several Indian sailors faced grave hardship.
Last week, the Indian Directorate General of Shipping reported that Indian seafarers were stranded at Dubai for last 22 months, because their companies had abandoned them. India proceeded and blacklisted these companies.
These include the Shah Al Arab Marine Agency and M/s. Alco Shippins Services LLC. The companies in question are: Enjaz 1, Enjaz 2, M T Dharma, M.V. Azab, Sharjah Moon, M.T. Ocean Prestige, Ocean Grace, AJWA.
The UAE has been criticized several times for being at the centre of seafarer abandonment. Back in October, UAE and ITF teamed up seeking to develop a protocol to govern a closer working relationship, including increased cooperation and information exchange, to tackle abandonment cases in UAE waters.
As part of its overall efforts to tackle the issue, the FTA issued a circular, in early 2018, mandating that all ships flying the UAE flag, above 200 gross tons, must have a financial security system to protect seafarers against abandonment, death or injury. The insurance must cover up to four months’ owed wages and entitlements. This measure entered into force in 20 February 2018, as the country entered into Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
