21 Filipino Sailors Stranded in India

Twenty one Filipino crew members of MV Evangelia M, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, have been left stranded in Kakinada Port, India after their employer abandoned them three months ago.

“The crew has been stuck on board the vessel since it was abandoned by its Greek owners in June. The seafarers requested the assistance of the DFA in facilitating their immediate repatriation and in collecting their salaries,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines said.

DFA added that it has directed the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi to assist the abandoned seafarers.

The embassy was instructed to send consular officers to Kakinada Port, located more than 1,800 kilometers from New Delhi.

Steps are also being undertaken in ensuring that the manning company in Manila facilitated the immediate repatriation and the payment of the salaries of the stranded seafarers, DFA said.

Based on VesselsValue’s data, the 2010-built Supramax bulk carrier was sold in 2014 to Athenian Ship Management. The 57,000 dwt bulker is valued at USD 11.72 million.