The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has stepped in for seven Egyptian seafarers on a ship in the Red Sea port of Safaga, Egypt, after they complained of delayed wages and a lack of provisions, food and medical treatment. Egypt's Maritime Authority has detained the ship to protect the crew's claims, according to an ITF statement reported by the Egyptian news sites Al-Shorouk and Cairo24 on 17 and 18 October 2026.
The ITF called the situation a breach of the shipowner's obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006). The statement, as reported, did not name the ship, its flag or its owner.
What has been done so far
The ITF's contact officer in Egypt, Captain El-Sayed El-Shazly El-Naggar, made an urgent visit to the ship and is working on a settlement between the owner and the crew, Cairo24 reported.
The Egyptian Maritime Authority recorded deficiencies on the ship and detained it.
Egypt's Maritime Transport and Logistics Sector issued warnings to the ship's agent to meet its responsibilities.
The Red Sea Naval Base helped get provisions, food and fuel to the crew.
The ITF praised the master, Captain Mohamed Soliman, for keeping order on board and making the complaint through official channels. It said work on a final settlement is continuing. If one is reached, the complaint will be closed. If not, the ITF will take the steps needed to register the ship as abandoned.
The ITF's public abandonment list currently shows one open case at Safaga: the Liberia-flagged Claudia Gas (IMO 8813087), with seven Egyptian crew owed two months' wages, reported to the ITF on 1 October 2026. Because the statement did not name the ship, it is not confirmed that this is the same case.
Your rights when wages stop
Under MLC 2006, seafarers count as abandoned when the shipowner fails to pay for their repatriation, leaves them without necessary maintenance and support, or otherwise cuts ties with them, including by not paying contractual wages for at least two months. Ships covered by the convention must carry certificates showing financial security for abandonment. That security pays for repatriation, essential needs such as food and medical care, and up to four months of outstanding wages and entitlements.
What to do if it happens on your ship
Keep copies of your contract, pay slips and any messages about late pay. Claims need documents to prove and calculate what is owed.
Find the financial security certificate displayed on board. It names the insurer and gives contact details for seafarers' claims.
Report early through official channels: the ITF, your union or the port State authority. The ITF asks crews facing late wages or shortages of food, water or power to report quickly so their case can be taken up.
In Egypt, the ITF statement says Captain El-Naggar takes urgent complaints 24 hours a day by phone or WhatsApp on 01003993939 (+20 100 399 3939 from abroad), or by email at Alnaggar@mou.eg with a copy to Capt.alnaggar@gmail.com.
Elsewhere, the ITF abandonment list page explains how to reach ITF Seafarer Support.
Cover photo: The town and port of Safaga on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, March 2008. Illustrative photo. Photo: Matthias Kabel/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped).
Sources: Al-Shorouk: Urgent ITF intervention at Safaga port for 7 Egyptian seafarers over delayed wages and lack of provisions (18 Oct 2026, in Arabic), Cairo24: International action to support 7 Egyptian seafarers stranded at Safaga port (17 Oct 2026, in Arabic), ITF Seafarers: Abandonment list, The Shipowners' Club: FAQs on MLC 2006 financial security requirements.
