Crew Evacuated After Months of Uncertainty Aboard Abandoned Vessel
Maritime News India: Four Indian seafarers who spent nearly ten months stranded aboard an abandoned container ship off the coast of Turkey have finally been evacuated, bringing an end to an ordeal that highlighted the growing global crisis of vessel abandonment.
The sailors had been trapped onboard the Mongolia-flagged AZRA C, which had remained anchored in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul since August 2025 after the vessel’s owners became entangled in a major international drug trafficking investigation.
“The hardship experienced by the crew has come to an end,” said Selahattin Polat, Turkey representative of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), confirming the evacuation.
A Maritime Ordeal Lasting 10 Months
For months, the four Indian sailors remained onboard the vessel despite receiving no wages and facing deteriorating living conditions.
Under international maritime regulations, ships must maintain a minimum crew complement capable of responding to emergencies, whether a vessel is in port, anchored or awaiting legal proceedings.
As a result, the crew members were unable to leave the vessel despite repeated requests and growing concerns over their welfare.
In messages previously shared through intermediaries, crew members described severe emotional distress, uncertainty and declining mental health after spending months isolated onboard.
“Every day we are losing hope and facing increasing mental pressure and health problems,” one crew member said during the ordeal.
Another sailor admitted that if someone had come to speak with him face-to-face, he would have “broken down crying.”
Owners Arrested in International Drug Investigation
The AZRA C’s predicament began after its purported owners were arrested in January 2026 as part of a large-scale international narcotics and money laundering investigation.
Turkish prosecutors linked the arrests to a wider investigation that followed Spain’s seizure of approximately 10 tonnes of cocaine aboard a vessel near the Canary Islands.
According to Turkish media reports, the AZRA C was allegedly connected to individuals under investigation, leaving ownership, management and responsibility for the vessel in legal uncertainty.
With the ship effectively abandoned, local service providers stopped supplying routine support after payments ceased, creating additional difficulties for the crew.
“There was nobody left to talk to,” Polat said, describing the situation as one of complete abandonment.
ITF and Welfare Groups Step In
Throughout the crisis, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and Turkey’s Marine Employees’ Solidarity Association (DAD-DER) provided emergency assistance to the stranded crew.
The organisations supplied:
- Drinking water
- Food provisions
- Basic necessities
- Welfare support
while simultaneously pursuing legal efforts to secure the sailors’ release.
The Indian Consulate in Istanbul also monitored the situation and worked to support repatriation efforts.
Ship Left Unmanned
One of the most unusual aspects of the case was the eventual decision to evacuate the sailors despite the absence of a replacement crew.
Initially, maritime regulations prevented the crew from leaving because the vessel required personnel onboard for safety and emergency response purposes.
However, according to Polat, no replacement crew ultimately arrived.
“The new crew did not arrive. The ship was left unmanned,” he said, adding that alternative arrangements would be made to ensure the vessel’s security while legal proceedings continue.
Authorities are continuing legal action relating to the abandoned vessel and its future disposition.
Growing Global Crisis of Vessel Abandonment
The AZRA C case has drawn international attention to what maritime labour organisations describe as a worsening crisis within global shipping.
According to ITF data, 2025 became the worst year on record for vessel abandonment, affecting:
- 6,233 seafarers
- 410 abandoned vessels
worldwide.
Indian nationals were reported to be the most affected group among abandoned seafarers during the year.
Turkey recorded the highest number of abandonment cases globally, accounting for 61 cases in 2025 alone.
Sea of Marmara Emerging as Abandonment Hotspot
Maritime authorities and labour organisations report that vessel abandonment has become an increasingly visible issue in Turkish waters.
There are currently 15 foreign-flagged vessels classified as abandoned in the Sea of Marmara, according to figures confirmed by the ITF.
Located between the Bosporus Strait and the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara serves as a critical maritime corridor connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.
Industry experts warn that abandoned vessels pose not only humanitarian concerns but also operational, navigational and environmental risks.
A Reminder of the Human Side of Shipping
While the evacuation of the four Indian sailors marks a positive outcome, the case serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by seafarers when vessels become trapped in financial, legal or criminal disputes.
Maritime welfare organisations continue to call for stronger international enforcement mechanisms to ensure that shipowners meet their obligations toward crew welfare and repatriation.
For the four Indian sailors aboard AZRA C, however, the immediate ordeal has finally come to an end after nearly a year of uncertainty, isolation and waiting for rescue.
