The Kokoo: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a significant development, six Chinese crew members from the abandoned vessel 'Kokoo' were successfully repatriated on June 21. The ship was seized at the Autonomous Port of Nouméa on February 8 due to severe safety violations that posed risks to both the crew and the marine environment, as it was involved in tobacco smuggling activities. Following its abandonment declaration on April 30, the remaining seven Burmese sailors continued to be stranded on the ship, awaiting necessary care. Despite being marooned, the local community stepped up to provide the crew with essential food and medical assistance. The absence of a shipping agent meant that these sailors faced dire conditions without access to resources, including basic necessities and wage payments, leading to a deteriorating situation on board. The involvement of the representative association of New Caledonian seafarers (Synmar NC), in partnership with international organizations such as IMO/ILO and the ITF, played a crucial role in managing this complex situation. Efforts are still ongoing to ensure the safe repatriation of the seven Burmese sailors who remain on the vessel.

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has recently identified the vessel KOKOO (IMO: 9114074) as a case of abandonment. This alarming report highlights concerns for the crew and their wages, with the ship currently flagged under Tanzania. The KOKOO was last reported in the port of Noumea, located in New Caledonia, where the situation has deteriorated for its eight seafarers over the past two months without pay. The crew includes nationals from China and Myanmar. The ITF officially logged this abandonment report on May 1, 2025, marking the case as open as they seek to address the welfare of the seafarers involved. This incident contributes to the ITF's ongoing efforts to monitor and resolve cases of crew abandonment worldwide, underlining the precarious nature of employment in the maritime industry.

On February 5, 2025, French customs officials made a significant seizure of contraband cigarettes aboard the vessel 'Kokoo' at the port of Nouméa, with critical assistance from the Australian Border Force (ABF). Following a thorough inspection of the ship, customs agents uncovered approximately 76 tonnes of illicit cigarettes packed in five containers. The ABF revealed that they had been closely monitoring the 'Kokoo' for some time due to its suspicious trajectory along the Australian coastline. Alongside the cigarettes, authorities discovered two speedboats concealed on board, equipped with powerful four 300-hp-outboard motors—characteristics commonly associated with smuggling operations. Additionally, around 10 tons of gasoline were recovered, likely intended to fuel these smuggling vessels. The investigation suggests that the 'Kokoo' operated as a mother ship, enabling the distribution of cigarettes through smaller boats for the final leg of the operation. On February 7, the captain of the 'Kokoo' faced a criminal court in Nouméa, receiving a 10-month prison sentence, a fine of $350,000, and the forfeiture of the entire cargo of cigarettes and the speedboats. The estimated market value of the seized tobacco stands at a staggering $35 million. For further details, visit: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/new-caledonia-busts-a-mother-ship-used-for-cigarette-smuggling.