VietNamNet Bridge - 19 crew members of the Diamond Way vessel of Vinashinlines have called for help, in a state of exhaustion, because they have been out of food, water, and have not been paid for more than two months since the ship was seized at the Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the sailors, they have sent telegrams on the status of the ship to the Ministry of Transport, the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the Vietnam Shipping Lines Group and the Vinashin Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd (Vinashinlines) for three times but they have not received any feedback of support from these agencies (the first telegram was sent on September 1, 2012).

"Vinashinlines has not paid us for several months while the ship is now out of food, fresh water, oil for cooking, lighting, etc. The lives of 19 crew members are very difficult and miserable," a boat member said.
 
According to the crew, the only way to maintain their life during that time was using wood to cook rice, which was left in the hold, and fish caught at the port (although the port authority bans fishing).

The crew of Diamond Way said that they would be forced to abandon the ship and ask for asylum in the Embassy of Vietnam in the UAE if the situation is not improved.

"We will not ask for help from the company again and will not take responsible for any losses occurring for Vinashinlines because the crew's life is not guaranteed," a crew representative said.

According to Dan Tri online newswire, Vinashinlines CEO, Mr. Mai Van Khang, refused to answer any question about the ship, reasoning that he was busy at a meeting.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, told Dan Tri that the Ministry had received information and known about the current situation of the crew of the Diamond Way.

The Deputy Minister said the Ministry has required Vinashinlines to urgently find measures to deal with the problems of sailors in accordance with regulations.

According to Cong, this is the general state of Vinashinlines and the Ministry of Transportation and the Government have instructed Vinashinlines to rapidly deal with difficulties.

In mid-July 2012, Diamond Way (built in 1988 in Japan) was seized in an Indian port by an oil supplier for owing oil money.

Diamond Way is one of the 16 ships of Vinashinlines. It is also on the list of the ships that this firm proposed for restructuring (together with Lotus, Lash ships, Vinashin Atlantic, Huangshan 28 , Sea Eagle, Green Sea, New Phoenix, etc.).

Not only the Diamond Way but also other ships of Vinashinlines are seized overseas because of financial problems.

Compiled by Na Son