The owner of the general cargo ship Socol 9 insured its risks, not the seafarers

Today, the Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia visited the general cargo ship Socol 9 (flag of Panama, IMO 8801618), berthed at the Nakhodka Sea Commercial Port. Its registered owner is Navis Car Line PTE LTD, and the operator and beneficial shipowner is Alfa Ship Managers PTE LTD, both are Singapore-based. There is a representative office of the company in Vladivostok, which recruited Russian seafarers until May 2024. Since May 24, 2024, 17 Filipino sailors have been employed on Socol 9 through the Sinosinfil crewing agency located in Manila. 

The SUR representatives informed the Captain that the Paris and Tokyo Memorandums of Understanding on Port State Control conduct a 3-months Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on working conditions of seafarers. The inspections started on September 1, 2024, at the ports of Asia and Europe. As part of this campaign, vessels may be detained for nonpayment of wages and other serious violations of employment agreements. For example, crew members should have individual employment agreements specifying provisions on wages, paid leave and repatriation, as well as the amount of compensation in the event of a worker's death on a voyage and the name of the next of kin who will receive it. The purpose of the inspections is to ensure that seafarers' rights are respected. 

The Philippine Captain welcomed the SUR representatives on board the vessel and provided the documents required for the inspection - seafarers' agreements of employment and the latest payroll for August. The payroll did not have the seafarers' signatures confirming receipt of the money. Then the Captain invited the  crew members one by one into his cabin, and they confirmed with their signatures the fact of receiving wages in full. Then the Inspectors examined the seafarers' agreements of employment: the salary of an AB Seaman was $1,379, and that of the captain was $8,500. The Filipino seafarers were covered by the national crewing agency for a sum of $50,000 in the event of death. In addition, the Сaptain provided insurance certificates in accordance with the requirements of the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006. Nikolay Sukhanov, Chairman of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia, noted, that the company insured its own risks against repatriation, death, and illness of its employees with the Vladivostok-based Ingosstrakh division. Thus, when the insured event, the company will reimburse the shipowner's expenses, but the seafarers' relatives will not receive compensation under these certificates since the employment agreements do not specify it.

The FETO SUR Inspectors answered all Filipino crew members' questions, including those concerning a collective agreement. Maritime unions around the world struggle to ensure the salary of an AB Seaman is no less than $1,836, and the compensation for death on a voyage is no less than $110,000. In addition, books on seafarers' rights and the magazines "Maritime Unions Herald" were delivered on board  MV Socol 9. The crew members were invited to Nakhodka International Marine Club, they could get there by a free bus at the captain's request. By the way, last year more than 3000 Filipinos visited the Club, and employees of  Nakhodka International Marine Club visited the Marine Club in the port of Davao (Philippines) to exchange experiences in cultural services to crews. 

It is noteworthy that SUR and the Philippine Seafarers' Union (AMOSUP) have a longstanding and strong bond of friendship and collaborate closely on providing assistance to seafarers and safeguarding their rights. For example, at the launch of a medical center for seafarers in Davao, the SUR representatives agreed that, if necessary, Russian crew members of vessels calling at the port will be able to receive free medical services at the centre. The Philippine seafarers thanked the FETO SUR Inspectors for the information provided and assistance in improving the working conditions of seafarers working on FOC vessels.