The crew of MV Silver Way were offered to join SUR to have their interests protected

Today, Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia visited the MV Silver Way (flag of Sierra Leone, IMO 8858855), which was moored at the Nakhodka fishing port for loading aluminium ingots destined for China. They were met on board by a crew of 13 Russian seafarers, all are the residents of Primorsky Region. According to Nikolay Sukhanov, FETO SUR Chairman, the registered owner of the vessel is Sansara Shipping Hong Kong LTD., the operator is East Line Shipping LTD., both are Vladivostok-based.

“The salary of an AB Seaman is $1,600, a captain’s is $4,200. Daily food allowance is $8 per crew member. There are no complaints about food rations or delays in wage payments, - he emphasized. — There is no collective agreement on board the vessel, but there are certificates of insurance in accordance with the Maritime Labor Convention, and the Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance Part II, signed by the beneficial shipowner - East Line Shipping LTD. Each seafarer has an individual contract.” — The section “Conditions of employment” indicates the insurance amount that will be paid in case of an accident on board: $20,000 is to be paid to the closest relative of the seafarer, $5,000 is to be paid to each child under 18 years of age, if any. The contract also stipulates that the company will cover all burying expenses in case of death of a seafarer during a voyage on a flight, - Sukhanov explains.

FETO SUR representatives told the crew members who gathered in a mess-room about the activities of the Seafarers' Union of Russia and its efforts to eliminate the Flags of Convenience system. For reference: a flag of convenience vessel is a vessel registered under a flag other than the shipowner's country. The system of cheap flags attracts shipowners with much more favourable conditions than national ones, which allow them to avoid subjection to their national laws. Changing the flag increases the profitability of ship operations and the competitiveness of the fleet, and provides a significant advantage in competition in the international market. The scale of FOC's use has reached a record level: more than half of the world's merchant fleet is already registered under FOCs. Nikolai Sukhanov is convinced that the working conditions of seafarers on board FOC vessels should meet minimum international standards. For example, the amount of compensation in case of a seafarer's death while on a voyage should be within $110,000, and the salary of an AB Seaman should be at least $1,836.

“We will recommend that the owner of Silver Way change the flag to Russian and comply with national laws, or sign a collective agreement with the trade union,”- he concluded. The crew of MV Silver Way was offered to join SUR.