Egyptian authorities have seized a Russian tanker in the Suez Canal

The Russian crude oil tanker Dignity (IMO 9283241) has been seized by Egyptian authorities for failure to pay the Suez Transit fee. A crew member reported this in a request for assistance to the Seafarers' Union of Russia. 

The tanker is currently anchored at the port of Suez. According to the seafarer, the vessel is running low on fuel and on lubricants, threatening a power cutoff.  In addition, the shipowner has accrued debt to the 22 Russian crew members, who have not received payment for more than three months. 

"On October 15, our vessel's crew filed a claim with the employer demanding payment of outstanding wages. As of October 28, the money has still not been transferred. The employer ignores our demands", the appeal to the Seafarers' Union of Russia stated. 

It also reports that backwages are systemic on board the Dignity: in this August, the seafarers already appealed to the union for assistance. 

Indeed, at that time, the joint efforts of SUR and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping promptly secured payment of backwages: the shipowner immediately transferred the seafarers the amount of RUB10.5 million. 

The SUR has now come on the scene to address this issue, and the Dignity's crew hopes the shipowner will fulfill its obligations soon.

Photo: vesselfinder.com