What Crew Members Say About Puma

In a notable development amidst the backdrop of Russian threats, the bulk carrier 'Puma' successfully departed from the port of Odesa on September 15, 2023. The vessel set sail at 7:30 a.m. UTC, making its way into the Black Sea. This departure signifies a crucial moment for maritime trade in the region, as shipping activities continue despite prevailing uncertainties.

The crew members of the vessel 'Puma' have formally lodged complaints regarding unpaid wages and reports of oppression aboard their ship to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). This troubling situation follows an incident in Rotterdam, where an ITF inspector was denied boarding the 'Puma' due to similar grievances. The ship set sail from Santa Cruz de Tenerife on July 20, 2019, and is expected to arrive at Dneprobugskiy on July 29.

On April 25, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) in Rostock attempted to reach out to the crew of the freighter 'Puma,' docked at Mukran, which had raised serious concerns over unpaid wages and poor working conditions. Crew members reported significant violations of labor laws, including working hours and low compensation. ITF inspector Hamani Amadou, along with his colleague Henri Zobel, were refused entry by both the captain and a representative of the shipping company Blumenthal, who blocked their access to the vessel and its crew. Earlier, while in Rotterdam, the crew had already approached the ITF office, shedding light on the troubling situation. As of mid-April, the Hamburg-based Blumenthal shipping company had not disbursed the previous month's wages, leaving sailors, many from Russia, Ukraine, and the Philippines, working over 40 hours a week for a mere $900 monthly salary. This amount falls significantly below the international minimum wage of $1,085 and the collective wage of around $1,500 for affiliated shipping companies. Reports indicated that the sailors faced egregious onboard conditions, which led to protests from dockworkers in Rotterdam who temporarily halted unloading the ship in solidarity with the crew. After a brief stop off Sassnitz due to strong easterly winds, the 'Puma' docked in Mukran on the afternoon of April 24, ready to load approximately 35,000 tons of wheat intended for delivery to Guinea, sourced from Viela Export GmbH, led by managing director Henning Bligenthal. Bligenthal had been made aware of the complaints surrounding the 'Puma' but stated he had not encountered issues with the shipping company before, sometimes opting for the customer to handle pickup from Mukran. He sought clarity on Blumenthal's reputation following the allegations. Notably, just a month earlier, another Blumenthal vessel, the 'Anna Elisabeth,' faced detainment in Australia under dire conditions, including prolonged confinement of the crew without adequate provisions. The situation on board, including reported mistreatment, has raised further alarms among maritime authorities. For a detailed account with images, visit: http://www.ostsee-zeitung.de/Vorpommern/Ruegen/Mukran-Seeleute-beklagen-Zustaende-an-Bord-des-Frachters-Puma.