A gang of illegal migrants have occupied the vessel in the Libyan port city of Misrata. About 90 people, mostly immigrants from African countries, took control of a RORO flying the flag of Panama and demanded to be transported to Europe.
15 crew members, including three Ukrainians, being afrain of threats from the "invaders", barricaded themselves on the bridge. The Embassy of Ukraine has established contact with the seafarers and their relatives in Ukraine.
According to unofficial information from the Libyan side, there are no complaints about the crew members and the shipowner. The vessel has completed unloading at the port and received permission for depature. However, the crew refuses to leave the port until illegal passengers leave the ship.
The MTWTU is currently working on the repatriation of Ukrainian seafarers, and if they decide to go home, the Embassy of Ukraine will provide all possible assistance in preparing the necessary documents.
By the way, the ship built in 1983 is not covered by the collective bargaining agreement of the ITF standard.
