Comments and Observations: | ITF (14 August 2018) It seems that company is bankrupt and some other vessels are having problems in other ports. P&I club involved but waiting for owner to resolve issues.
International Chamber of Shipping (30 August 2018) From: Ôðîëîâ Àëåêñàíäð Èëüè÷ [mailto:frolov@russian-shipping.ru] Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2018 1:25 PM To: Natalie Shaw ; David Subject: HA: New abandonment case notification Dear Natalie, In response to your request for a bulk carrier ZAPOLYARYE , I am pleased to advise you referring to explanations of the Murmansk Shipping Company. On August 13 a sufficient amount of drinking water was brought on board the ship for the needs of the crew. On August 14 a sufficient supply of provision was delivered to the ship. Replacement of 5 crew members was made, including the captain of the vessel. Murmansk Shipping Company is planning to make the next change of 10 crew members after receiving a entering visa to Spain. The shipping company is planning to complete the voyage to the UK, and afterwards come back to Russia (St. Petersburg) for the Kanonersky shipping yard to carry out some repairs. The Murmansk Shipping Company is making every effort to provide the bulk carrier ZAPOLYARYE with fuel and supplies for the crew, a crew exchange and repatriation of crew members to Russia. Therefore information about the bankruptcy of the Murmansk Shipping Company is not valid, although some financial difficulties of a temporary nature are noted. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards Alexander Frolov Senior advisor to the President of the Russian Chamber of Shipping
International Chamber of Shipping (4 September 2018) From: Natalie Shaw [mailto:natalie.shaw@ics-shipping.org] Sent: lundi 3 septembre 2018 17:50 To: Wagner, Brandt ; Noh, Jinhak Subject: Fwd: URGENT Re: Zapolyarye (9524205) abandonment report Please enzure that this response is recorded on the database. Many thanks Natalie Shaw
-------- Original message -------- From: Gustavo Gomez Date: 03/09/2018 16:34 (GMT+00:00) To: Luz Baz , Jonathan Warring , Subject: RE: URGENT Re: Zapolyarye (9524205) abandonment report Dear All, We thank the ITF for keeping us in copy of their email below. The writer is the Claims Manager at the American Club handling the case of the ZAPOLYARYE. To clarify the current situation, and the American Club’s position, as you will note from the information below and attached support, none of the triggers to the Club’s MLC Blue Card have been met since Owners have not failed to pay wages or failed to cover the costs of repatriation or the costs of essential needs. A full supply of provisions arrived on 15 August, which included 60 tons of water and food for 20 days. A further supply arranged by the local Red Cross and the Local Correspondent on or about 21 August. Owners are in the process of arranging a new supply of food. In this respect, please see attached an invoice and proof of payment for provisions for the ZAPOLYARYE. The information reported to us is that the supply is arranged for delivery today. Owners have already repatriated 06 crew members on 15 August and a further repatriation of 10 crew members is being arranged. However, as you will appreciate there are practical issues to overcome such as visas and the substitutes/minimum manning requirements all of which take time. In any event, please see attached a further proof of payment to the agent and crew change details. Bunkers have also been supplied very recently (please see attached proof of the payment of the bunker supply). As you will note, whilst we accept that developments are happening at a slow pace, Owners are complying with their obligations vis-à-vis the crew members. We trust that this message addresses any criticism to the Owners and Club for alleged lack of response. We will continue monitoring this situation and, in the meantime, if anybody wishes to reach out to the writer, please feel free to do so. Best regards,
Gustavo Gomez Shipowners Claims Bureau (UK) Ltd 78-79 Leadenhall Street | |London | EC3A 3DH
ITF (4 September 2018) From: Luz Baz [mailto:Baz_Luz@itf.org.uk] Sent: lundi 3 septembre 2018 18:12 To: Gustavo Gomez Subject: RE: URGENT Re: Zapolyarye (9524205) abandonment report
Dear all,
I am driving and writing from my telephone, I can't see the attachments now sorry. P&I was approched by the seafarers and by myself on their behalf several times. I was repeatdly in touch with the sender of the e mail below. Situation on board ( like the last few days without food and medicines ) is desperate. The insurance seems to press the owners and wait for them to react. The ship was as well repeatdly without fresh water and fuel. Crew was claiming again and again for their repatriation ( they are over contract) without any news and asnwer from the company or the insurance and, despite the MLC refers to "an expedite" solution and response, they had to wait for more than a month before being repatriated ( 6 of them, another 10 seafarers are still waiting to see if company's promises for this week will be true or not) Regarding the supply of provisions.. please, bear in mind that, as far as It was reported by the crew.. the quantity was not very fair to allow 20 men to survive for the days expected by the owners ( f.e. 46 yogurt for 22 crew members, etc..) We can say the same regarding GO and FO. Minimum for emergency. I am afraid no one of those that have to take decisions and responsibilities under the MLC and other international rules have had the experience of being on a ship at the anchorage for more than two months and without enough food, water, electricity, and looking forward to go home and enjoying their deserved rest. I have been dealing with the case from the beginning.. as some of you know, I have a long experience dealing with abandonment cases and, being honest, I have to tell you that the MLC ammendments of 2014 regarding the financial security provider, are, to me, totally useless in this case. So far the crew is not claiming pending wages to the insurance, but trust them to get covered their " essencial needs" and this HAS NOT HAPPENED yet Again, for third time, Red Cross has delivered provisions on board. The company is playing with time and reacting to the warnings always when is late. Crew has been WITHOUT food for three days already. Please note that there are two seafarers wich need medical attention and pills that haven't receive any answer either. I hope it's clear. Best regards
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