The remaining five crew members of the offshore support vessel MV Berkat Tuah returned to Malaysia after being allowed to disembark from the vessel on July 18 after being stranded at Hamriyah Port, Dubai, for months. According to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, the repatriation followed continued engagement between the Consulate General of Malaysia in Dubai, Sharjah authorities, and the Malaysian Marine Department. The seafarers, who faced a complex financial crisis involving a Singapore-based company that detained the ship, were among 13 crew members caught in a wider global issue affecting approximately 6,000 seafarers worldwide.
The Financial Crisis Behind the MV Berkat Tuah Standoff
The MV Berkat Tuah became stranded in October following a complex commercial dispute and financial crisis involving the operating company. According to the Malaysian Marine Department, the vessel became stranded after a contract secured by the local operating company in the UAE was cancelled following the Middle East crisis. This left the operating company without sufficient funds to pay the crew or finance their return home.
The crew members involved in the final group to return include Capt. Hendi Irawan, Mohamad Luqman Yahaya, Mark Martin, Mohd Shah Rizan Rahman, and Mohd Fariduddin Muhamad Jainudin. Their return marks the end of a long ordeal for the 13-member crew, four of whom had previously returned to Malaysia in April.
Did you know?
According to Datuk Dickson Dollah, Director-General of the Malaysian Marine Department, approximately 410 vessels remain stranded because of the conflict, impacting about 6,000 seafarers who face similar problems.
Government Intervention and Wage Recovery Efforts
The Malaysian Consulate General in Dubai conducted several consular visits to ensure the welfare and safety of the crew before they were allowed to disembark. Following their arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the focus shifted to the recovery of unpaid wages.
Datuk Dickson Dollah confirmed that the crew members are still owed six months of salary. To address this, the Marine Department has established a special task force to coordinate claims for the outstanding wages. “What we can do for the time being is advance part of their outstanding wages, while the remaining balance will be claimed from the company,” Dollah stated. The advance payments are being channelled through cooperation between the National Union of Seafarers Peninsular Malaysia and the Central Fund for Maritime Trade.
Broader Implications for Maritime Labor Rights
For Mark Martin, the support provided by the Malaysian Marine Department was the deciding factor in their eventual return, noting that Datuk Dickson Dollah gave the crew hope when they were close to giving up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why were the MV Berkat Tuah crew members stranded?
The crew was stranded due to a complex commercial dispute and financial crisis involving a Singapore-based company that detained the ship after a contract in the UAE was cancelled. - How are the crew members recovering their unpaid wages?
A special task force led by the Malaysian Marine Department is facilitating partial wage advances through the National Union of Seafarers Peninsular Malaysia and the Central Fund for Maritime Trade while pursuing the full balance from the operating company. - Is this an isolated incident for Malaysian seafarers?
No. According to the Malaysian Marine Department, about 6,000 seafarers globally are currently stranded on approximately 410 vessels due to the conflict.
Have you or a family member experienced challenges in the maritime industry? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on international labor rights and maritime logistics.
Related reading