Working Conditions Aboard the Gulf-Petroleum-4

The Maritime Captaincy of Almería, part of Spain's General Directorate of the Merchant Marine within the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, has taken significant action against the vessel 'Gulf Petroleum 4'. Detained in Carboneras on March 7, 2025, the ship was found to have 29 safety deficiencies during a thorough inspection carried out under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). To resume its voyage, the vessel is required to secure a €70,000 deposit and rectify the identified issues, many of which pertain to navigation safety and crew welfare. Most of the 'Gulf Petroleum 4' crew, hailing from India, are affected by concerns related to hygiene, nutrition, and working conditions. Additionally, the inspection highlighted critical shortcomings in pollution prevention measures, lifesaving and firefighting equipment, as well as overall operational management and maintenance of essential onboard systems. Due to these serious violations, the Maritime Authority has mandated that the ship remain docked in Carboneras until the €70,000 guarantee is paid to the General Treasury Deposit Box and all deficiencies are addressed. As of March 13, 2025, the ship remains stationary, awaiting resolution of these crucial safety issues.

On March 22, 2020, at approximately 4:30 p.m., an alarming explosion reportedly erupted in the engine room of the tanker 'Gulf Petroleum 4'. This incident took place at the coordinates 32°00'N 15°55'E, just off the coast of Libya. Several crew members sustained injuries and required urgent medical attention as the vessel became incapacitated and began drifting. The 'Gulf Petroleum 4' had been actively engaged in operations in the Gulf of Sidra since its departure from Benghazi on March 16, having arrived there on March 13 after coming from Sharjah with a cargo destined for the Libyan National Army (LNA). Following the explosion and subsequent drift, the Libyan army intervened late on March 22, seizing the vessel to transport it to a military-controlled port for thorough investigations. In a subsequent development, the tanker set sail from Misurata on October 23 at 10 a.m. and successfully berthed in Khoms by 6 p.m.