Indian Seafarers’ Union Urges IMO Action Over Fake Ship Registries Endangering Seafarers

An Indian seafarers’ union has asked the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to address the use of fake ship-registration and insurance documents.

The union says the practice has put seafarers at risk and left the families of dead crew members struggling to get compensation.

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) sent two letters to the UN maritime agency on October 16 and 21.

The letters raised concerns about false ship registrations, flags of convenience, the return of deceased seafarers’ remains and medical help for crew injured at sea, including during attacks on commercial ships.

The IMO responded on October 23, reaffirming its commitment to seafarer safety and welfare. It also referred to its work on ship-registration guidelines aimed at improving checks and preventing fraudulent registrations, according to the FSUI.

The response did not announce any specific action against the ships named by the union.

The FSUI cited five vessel cases in its letters. It said fake registration and insurance papers had caused serious problems for crews and their families, particularly when ships operated in conflict zones or were linked to sanctioned oil trades.

One case involved the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello (IMO No. 9162916). According to the FSUI, the tanker was hit by Hellfire missiles fired from a US aircraft on June 9.

The attack took place during a US Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was reportedly carrying Iranian oil and was allegedly targeted over violations of the blockade.

Three Indian seafarers were killed in the attack, the union said. It also alleged that the protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance certificate used to register the tanker under the Palau flag was fake and issued in the name of The American Club.

The families of the dead seafarers are still struggling to obtain compensation from the shipowner, according to the union.

P&I insurance covers certain liabilities faced by shipowners, including some claims involving crew members. If an insurance certificate is found to be false, it can make compensation claims more difficult to resolve.

The FSUI also raised concerns about three sanctioned oil tankers, Al Jafzia, Asphalt Star and Stellar Ruby. The vessels were linked to Dubai-based shipowner Jugwinder Singh Brar.

They were seized in February in connection with an alleged oil-smuggling operation involving ship-to-ship transfers.

According to a report, a police investigation found that Stellar Ruby had used a fake P&I insurance certificate and other allegedly false documents. The vessel had also unloaded bitumen at an Indian port, the report said.

The report added that Al Jafzia had used forged documents to enter a ship-recycling facility in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

Brar denied that any illegal activity had been proven. He dismissed the allegations about fake documents as “pure bullsh*t”.

The union also said at least three vessels had been detained in Mumbai since February 2026 over fake registration certificates and suspected involvement in suspicious activities.

Another case involved the Aruba-flagged tanker Celestial Sea. An Indian seafarer died aboard the vessel while it was crossing the Strait of Hormuz, the union said.

The FSUI attributed the death to a lack of medical assistance on board. The supplied information does not give further details about the incident.

In its October 21 letter, the union warned that fraudulent ship documents had endangered seafarers and contributed to deaths. It alleged that many vessels involved in shadow operations were linked to sanctioned activities and appeared to be controlled by companies operating under different names from the United Arab Emirates.

The union asked the IMO to look into the issue, saying seafarers’ families were being left without support after fatal incidents.

In its response dated October 23, the IMO reaffirmed its commitment to seafarer safety, protection and welfare, according to the FSUI.

The agency also referred to the difficulties families face when the remains of deceased seafarers are not returned promptly. It pointed to work on ship-registration guidelines intended to improve checks and prevent fraudulent registrations.

The FSUI welcomed the response, saying it showed the importance of raising concerns with international maritime organisations.

However, the IMO did not say whether it would investigate the individual cases or take action against the ships or companies named in the letters.

Reference: FSUI