MV Obangame
2019-2020 · Douala port, Cameroon · status: resolved
- Opened
- 2019-11-01
- Closed
- 2020-05-01
- Port
- Douala port, Cameroon
- Vessel IMO
- 8214241
- Flag
- CMR
- Shipowner
- owner-in-liquidation
- Insurer named on DMLC
- MLC certificate expired
- Seafarers affected
- 12
- Nationalities
- PH, CM, SN
Summary
The Cameroon-flagged general cargo vessel Obangame was abandoned at Douala with twelve Filipino, Cameroonian, and Senegalese crew. Cameroon Ministry of Transport formally intervened after ITF Cameroon opened the case; the flag-state action forced insurer engagement even though the MLC certificate had lapsed. Crew were repatriated in phased departures over six months. The case highlighted the value of active flag-state engagement even in smaller registries — Cameroon's intervention accelerated resolution versus the typical 12-18 month pattern.
Outcome for crew
all 12 repatriated after 4-6 months; partial wage recovery.
Source
Resolution / documentation via: ITF + Cameroon Ministry of Transport
Related rights + resources
- · Abandonment rights (MLC A2.5.2) — the regulatory framework this case is governed by
- · Unpaid wages
- · MLC 2006 financial-security providers directory
- · International Group P&I Clubs