Shipowners Association Calls For Immediate End To Unjust Detention Of Seafarers

Galaxy Leader — Screengrab from YouTube video posted by Evening Standard

The Asian Shipowners Association (ASA) has raised a serious concern about the growing number of seafarers being detained in foreign countries. This issue was raised on the one-year anniversary of the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader held hostage on November 19, 2023.

The ASA’s Ship Insurance and Liability Committee says many seafarers are locked up without clear evidence or proper legal reasons.

These workers are often stuck in foreign countries for long periods, facing emotional and financial hardship. This problem is especially common in places where local legal systems struggle to handle maritime issues properly.

An example shared by the committee is that of Captain Yu Yihai, a Chinese ship captain who was held in Honduras for over two years. His ship was found with bags of cocaine, but he was never charged with a crime.

Despite this, he remained in prison until he was finally released in August 2023 after intervention from shipping and labour organisations.

The committee pointed out that every case of detention involves real people facing extreme challenges, with families being torn apart and seafarers’ futures left uncertain.

Video Credits: Evening Standard/YouTube

Another troubling case is of Captain Zhang Deyi, who has been held in Indonesia since 2018. He was convicted after an anchor from his ship caused an oil pipeline explosion that killed five fishermen. His team says it was a mistake, but he has been sentenced to ten years in prison.

The committee has proposed three solutions to solve such issues:

1. Raising Awareness: Share these stories globally to pressure governments to take action.
2. Advocating for Fair Legal Processes: Push for fair legal treatment of seafarers in all countries.
3. Building Support Networks: Create stronger support systems to help seafarers in these tough situations.

The committee heard emotional stories from seafarers and their families at a recent meeting in Hong Kong. Many of these workers live in constant fear of being detained without any reason. This fear is a heavy burden, especially for people whose work is essential to the global economy.

The ASA calls on the entire maritime industry, shipping companies, international organisations, and governments to come together and defend seafarers’ rights. The committee believes this is not just a legal issue but a human rights issue that needs immediate attention.

References: hongkongmaritimehub, businesswire

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