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The saga of the abandoned vessel 'Celanova' continues as a group of Cuban crew members finds themselves stranded in a hotel in Manila, anxiously awaiting their repatriation. Their plight has been exacerbated by the ongoing restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The dire situation escalated when the 'Celanova' lost its rudder off the coast of the Philippines in December 2019 and was towed to the Manila Bay, where it anchored 13 miles from the Manila port, awaiting repairs that the financially distressed owner could not afford, as the ship lacked hull and machinery coverage. Owner Globalgas has faced considerable challenges in trying to sell the ‘Celanova’ to settle its debts, as financial institutions blocked the sale while the company itself filed for insolvency. This predicament left the two Spanish and 13 Cuban crew members aboard the vessel unpaid, with their food, water, and bunker fuel supplies critically low. Authorities were reluctant to allow the ship to move closer to the port due to concerns over the safety risks posed by its cargo. Compounding the issue, the American Club, the vessel's protection and indemnity provider, became aware in January 2020 that the 'Celanova' had previously called in Iran and was carrying a cargo that violated US sanctions and the club's regulations. An official from the American Club stated that once the origin of the cargo was confirmed, coverage was terminated due to the company’s US-based status. Before this revelation, the American Club had incurred significant expenses to secure the rudderless vessel’s safety and provided necessary assistance to the crew. In light of the discovery regarding the illicit cargo, the American Club sought and received permission from the US Department of Treasury to continue aiding the vessel and its crew. Importantly, this assistance was conditional on the cargo remaining onboard. In March, however, the cargo was transferred to another ship for delivery to China, a move that was facilitated by the crew due to the impending risk to their safety and a lack of power to operate the vessel’s generators. Luz Baz, the ITF coordinator for Spain, became involved in February, confirming that the crew had no viable choice but to facilitate the transshipment, with their priority being the safe unloading of the dangerous cargo. After enduring months of uncertainty and relying on donations from local charities and the Philippine Coast Guard, the American Club finally resolved the predicament for humanitarian purposes. With the ITF's cooperation, they managed to pay the crew four months' wages and arrange for their repatriation. Despite these efforts, the repatriation process for the Cuban crew has experienced delays due to ongoing restrictions in Europe and Cuba. Meanwhile, the 'Celanova' remains under detention off the coast of Manila, and an auction of the vessel appears imminent.

The tanker 'Celanova' and its crew of 15 remain in distress, stranded just one nautical mile from Manila, four months after being deserted by their owner. Initially held by Philippine port state control due to rudder damage and various technical failures, the vessel continues to face uncertain conditions even as the Philippine government has relaxed travel restrictions and lifted lockdowns. For safety, authorities towed 'Celanova' closer to Manila Port from its previous position. The owner's bankruptcy led to efforts to sell the vessel to cover four months' back wages owed to the crew. However, the Spanish mortgage bank, Abanca, blocked the sale. On February 22, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) sought assistance from the American Club (AC), the financial surety for 'Celanova,' as the crew had gone unpaid for five months. The AC only responded on June 5, indicating that further action would begin once the ship docked. The troubles for 'Celanova' began on December 7, 2019, when the vessel broke down and lost its rudder off the Philippine coast. It was towed to Manila Bay ten days later and detained by port state control on February 14, 2020, for violating the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) due to the prolonged unpaid wages. The crew, consisting of 13 Cubans and 2 Spaniards, faced alarming conditions aboard with no access to electricity, lighting, refrigeration, GPS, security lights, or Wi-Fi. Their mobile devices had drained of battery life, and the ship was perilously low on essential supplies like fuel, food, fresh water, and medicine. With no air conditioning available, they resorted to sleeping on deck; however, storms swept through the coastal region, forcing them to take shelter below deck in darkness. This placed them in a precarious position if the vessel began to drift in the strong currents. Throughout the months prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew relied heavily on the goodwill and compassion of local Filipinos, who braved the seas to deliver food, water, and other necessary provisions while the 'Celanova' remained anchored 13 nautical miles offshore.

On May 31, 2023, the crew members of the abandoned tanker 'Celanova' received much-needed assistance from Filipino maritime professionals in the waters surrounding Manila Bay. A vessel from the Coast Guard approached the tanker to deliver essential supplies that the crew has eagerly awaited since being left by their ship owner in December 2019. This timely intervention highlights the ongoing commitment of maritime authorities to safeguard the welfare of seafarers in distress.