9 abk 10 months wni trapped in ships in Mozambik waters

Jakarta – Nine crew members (ABK) of Indonesia are reportedly abandoned in Mozambik waters, precisely at Beira Anchage. The crew members are on the Falcon gas ship for about ten months. “We have 10 in Beira, Mozambik Anchored and we worked for 8 months that our salaries were not paid by the owner or shipowner from Italy,” said one of the crew, Jephrison Nainggolan, when he was contacted on Saturday (16/8/2025). Jephrison said that the ABK initially left Jakarta to Mozambik on October 7, 2024. Then they arrived at Mozambik on October 24, 2024. Roll to continue with their content and loaded the load. However, he said the maritime authorities boarded the ship and kept the documents and diplomas of the ABK. “Then we finished the download, we returned to the tanker and joined two police officers who guarded us on the ship. We got information that this ship was imprisoned by Mozambik Court,” he explained. “They brought weapons to secure us not to run away. Because there was still a load that we took about 1 600 tonnes apart until we waited for salaries to be paid, it was until the end of January,” he continued. Jephrison said his party requested in December 2024 to return to Indonesia. However, he said the shipowner has no money to repatriate them. He said his party has not received a salary so far. Jephrison said his party also requested logistical help from the Indonesian embassy in Maputo. The help was allegedly arrived this afternoon. “We asked the Indonesian Embassy in Maputo, the Foreign Affairs and PWNI ministry for help to land as logistics and reduction of the crew, and logistical help from the Indonesian embassy showed up today, we hope to go home before it is out of food, fresh water and fuel,” he said. “We are not allowed to go through the Maritime Authority, the reason why they should have a new replacement of the crew. We have asked to go home since December, so far the owner has only promised or laid us,” he added. Meanwhile, Mozambik ambassador, Kartika Candra Negara, opened his voice on the condition of 9 ABK relocated in Mozambik waters. Candra said his party tried to help the crew. “We’ve helped it to deal with it since January. Alhamdulillah, all physically healthy. But everyone should be patient, because they were on a immovable ship, he explained that the tankers were about 4 miles from the port of Beira. He said the ship could not move because the status and content were confiscated by the Sofala Maritime Court. Crews of the Indonesian citizen ship can be distributed immediately and return to their respective families in Indonesia, “he said.” Meanwhile, the court will allow the crew members to be paid out if a substitute crew is available. So far, the shipowner (Italian citizen) still promises to provide a replacement crew and pay the overdue salary. In accordance with international provisions, ships at sea should not be left empty (unmanned), ‘he added. (AMW/IDH)