Fifteen Indian seafarers stranded aboard the Star Apollo in Indonesia since October 2024 report months of unpaid wages, lack of food, and threats, prompting global concern and ITF intervention amid rising seafarer abandonment cases.
A dire case of seafarer abandonment has resurfaced global concerns after 15 Indian crewmembers aboard the offshore support vessel Star Apollo made a desperate social media appeal, highlighting months of unpaid wages and lack of food.
The video, shared by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), shows crew members holding signs stating they have not received pay for 4 to 8 months and have faced threats from the ship’s managers. Moored at Batamec Shipyard in Indonesia since October 2024, the crew is now pleading for intervention from Indian maritime unions and the flag state of the vessel.
The Star Apollo, built in 2012 and currently registered in St. Kitts & Nevis, was reportedly sold in early 2025 to Mumbai-based Vindhyawashini Offshore, according to the Equasis database. The ITF is assisting the stranded crew in recovering nearly $80,000 in unpaid wages.
Labelling 2024 as the “worst year on record for seafarer abandonment,” the ITF warns of a rising crisis and is urging authorities to prioritise accountability in vessel ownership and flag state responsibility.
The case has reignited calls for stronger global enforcement of seafarers’ rights, as the crew remains stranded with no pay, limited food, and uncertain prospects of repatriation. The shipping world watches closely as pressure mounts on owners and regulators to act.
Source: The Maritime Executive
