MV Ula
2019-2020 · Shuwaikh anchorage, Kuwait · status: resolved
- Opened
- 2019-05-01
- Closed
- 2020-11-01
- Port
- Shuwaikh anchorage, Kuwait
- Vessel IMO
- 9137090
- Flag
- PAN
- Shipowner
- Aswan Trading (owner disputed)
- Insurer named on DMLC
- no valid DMLC
- Seafarers affected
- 19
- Nationalities
- EG, IN, SD, TR, MM
- Unpaid wages (USD)
- 300,000
Summary
The Panama-flagged livestock carrier Ula was abandoned in Kuwaiti waters with 19 crew members of five different nationalities. Wages, food, and fuel supplies stopped simultaneously. The vessel had no valid MLC financial-security certificate on the DMLC — the case exposed a common enforcement gap where flag states of convenience issue MLC certificates without verifying that the financial-security policy is actually in force. ITF Kuwait secured emergency food deliveries and coordinated a 17-month campaign that eventually forced Panama Maritime Authority to intervene. Crew were progressively repatriated with partial wage recovery.
Outcome for crew
all 19 repatriated after 12-17 months; partial wage settlement.
Source
Resolution / documentation via: ITF + Kuwait Maritime + Panama Maritime Authority
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