World-Trader Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The abandoned tugboat 'World Trader' has become a pressing concern at the Port of Brest, where it has been docked at the West Quay of the 5th basin. On March 18, 2026, an inspector from the International Transport Federation discovered alarming issues. The vessel's generator had failed, and critical personnel had abandoned ship, leaving no crew members on board while the shipowner's representative was unaccounted for. This unregistered vessel presents a significant hazard at the port, prompting the inspector to alert BrestPort about the urgent situation. Although a new crew is expected to arrive within days, the Mor Glaz Association is demanding immediate action from authorities to rectify this troubling scenario. The 55-year-old tug, originally known as 'World Tug 1' and laid up in the Netherlands for three years, was purchased by Zodiacofuscante LDA, a Portuguese ship management company. Registered in Belize and renamed 'World Trader', the tug once employed a crew comprised of a Spanish captain, five Venezuelan sailors, and two Ukrainians. For more details, refer to the report with photo: https://www.ouest-france.fr/mer/un-danger-en-mer-et-a-quai-en-finistere-le-world-trader-la-situation-honteuse-dun-navire-abandonne-1e7f4002-2373-11f1-98e5-3dd28da86436.

The tugboat 'World Trader' has found itself immobilized in the 5th basin of Brest for over two months, leaving its two crew members stranded without pay. The Mor Glaz association has raised concerns, stating that the vessel has lost its flag and is advocating for it to be forfeited. They argue that the proceeds from its eventual sale for dismantling could be used to cover the overdue wages owed to the crew still aboard. Laure Tallonneau, an inspector with the International Transport Workers' Union, expressed hope that maritime authorities will act swiftly to discard the ship's ownership, allowing the crew to return home without further delay. The stranded crew consists of Marcos Hernandez and Jairo Cordova, two Venezuelan nationals who initially boarded the 'World Trader' in the Netherlands under the employment of a dubious shipowner. This shipowner, a Spaniard based in Portugal, has since attempted to put the tug back into service by registering it under the Belize flag, despite its scrap-bound status. A meeting of the Seafarers' Welfare Commission is deemed crucial to address this ongoing issue. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are urged to prioritize the welfare of the mariners who have been left in dire circumstances. [Read the full report with photo here.](https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/transports/transport-maritime/une-solution-doit-etre-trouvee-pour-ces-marins-depuis-deux-mois-le-world-trader-est-immobilise-a-brest-909db5ce-08b6-11f1-8f27-f38523081a88)

In a distressing saga that lasted over three weeks, the Ukrainian crew members aboard the tugboat 'World Trader' have finally returned to their homeland. On December 29, 2025, the two individuals arrived back in Ukraine after enduring threats to their lives from other members of the crew. The 'World Trader', currently docked at the port of Brest since December 8, 2025, has been held due to serious infractions and neglect of safety protocols. The Mor Glaz organization praised the efforts of Laure Tallonneau, an inspector from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), for her dedication to ensuring the crew's safety. Meanwhile, maritime authorities along with BrestPort, the local port authority, are diligently monitoring the tug to prevent any unauthorized departures from the port of Brest.

The tugboat 'World Trader' has been docked at the port of Brest since December 7, facing a series of technical failures that have rendered it immobile. Currently, two Ukrainian sailors aboard the vessel are enduring difficult living conditions, claiming they have faced threats from other crew members and deficiencies in the shipowner’s support. The Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic ordered the tug's detention after it sustained significant damage while traveling off the coast of Brittany, thwarting its journey to Casablanca. The condition of the vessel is alarming: the hull is corroded, paint is flaking off, and an air of tension pervades the deck. The crew, consisting of six sailors, is divided into two factions: one led by a Spanish captain and three Venezuelan crew members, and the other comprising the two isolated Ukrainian sailors. Interactions between the groups have become sparse, often marked by silence and avoidance due to the rising tensions. These tensions surged dramatically on the night of December 24, when the sailors revealed footage from the deck showing an alleged threat of violence from a drunken crew member. Since that incident, the Ukrainian sailors have reportedly stayed in their cabins due to fear for their safety. Their straightforward request is for timely payments and safe passage home to Odessa.

The 'World Trader' tugboat docked at the west quay of the fifth basin in Brest on December 8 around 9 p.m. as part of the port’s emergency refuge procedures. The vessel was towed to safety by the offshore tug 'Sapeur' (IMO: 9270397) on December 7 after it lost one of its anchors while operating in Roscanvel Bay. On December 9, government authorities, including the Ship Safety Center (CSN), along with the ship’s captain and his deputy, conducted thorough inspections on board to ensure the safety of both the vessel and its crew. Their findings indicated severely limited supplies of fresh water and food onboard. The CSN inspection aimed to uncover any additional deficiencies. Moreover, the Maritime Prefecture emphasized the importance of addressing the technical aspects of maritime safety, particularly due to the incident involving the loss of the starboard anchor. For ongoing updates and related imagery, please refer to the detailed report available here: https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/transports/transport-maritime/dans-la-rade-de-brest-le-remorqueur-world-trader-sous-haute-surveillance-a7d9a2b0-d43c-11f0-bf7c-eb0c437cb865.

On December 8, the tugboat 'World Trader' was set to leave Finistère and head to Casablanca when issues arose during a scheduled inspection. The vessel, which has encountered breakdowns twice in the waters off Brittany recently, drew the attention of Rear Admiral Cyril de Jaurias, the acting Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic. This prompted a crucial inspection conducted between Roscanvel and Île Longue to evaluate the tug's reliability concerning maritime safety, environmental safeguarding, public order, and overall maritime security. Due to the lack of assurances regarding the repairs needed for the 'World Trader', authorities prohibited the tug from entering or traversing the Brest narrows until the ban is reassessed. The decision has been well-received by the Mor Glaz Association and Laure Tallonneau, an ITF/CGT inspector who raised concerns about the precarious situation faced by the eight crew members aboard the tug. In addition, the Mor Glaz Association highlighted that two Ukrainian crew members are seeking both payment and repatriation following troubling circumstances. The 'World Trader', previously known as 'World Tug 1', had spent three years laid up in the Netherlands before being acquired by the Portuguese ship management company Zodiacofuscante LDA. Registered in Belize, the tug has a long service history of 55 years and is currently operated by a crew that includes a Spanish captain, five Venezuelan sailors, and two Ukrainian sailors. For more information, including photographs from the scene, visit: https://www.ouest-france.fr/economie/transports/transport-maritime/dans-la-rade-de-brest-le-remorqueur-world-trader-sous-haute-surveillance-a7d9a2b0-d43c-11f0-bf7c-eb0c437cb865.

On December 5, 2025, the cargo ship 'World Trader', carrying eight crew members, encountered a critical technical issue while navigating the Iroise Sea on its way to Casablanca. The vessel reported its malfunction to the CROSS Corsen, prompting swift action from maritime authorities. With weather conditions worsening and reachable coastal proximity, the Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic initiated an emergency response, dispatching the tugboat 'Sapeur' from its waiting station in Camaret. By 5:00 p.m., 'Sapeur' established a towline with 'World Trader', effectively guiding the distressed ship into the bay of Douarnenez. However, by 9:30 p.m., the situation took a turn as 'World Trader' was spotted drifting toward the shore from the Cap de la Chèvre signal station. In response, 'Sapeur' repositioned to support the vessel. At 12:30 a.m. on December 6, 'World Trader' successfully navigated out of immediate danger and announced plans to sail to Brest. To ensure safety, a new towline was secured at 2:00 a.m., reinforcing the connection between the two vessels and further distancing 'World Trader' from the coastline. Throughout these operations, an H160 helicopter from the Lanvéoc-Poulmic naval air base remained on standby, ready to assist with potential evacuations or medical logistics. Following orders from the Maritime Prefect, the convoy proceeded towards Brest anchorage, where they docked the tug at the Roscanvel buoy with help from a port craft from the naval base. 'World Trader' successfully anchored around 5:00 p.m., where it will remain while authorities assess the access routes for conducting necessary permanent repairs. For further details, you can view the report with photos on Ouest France.

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has reported a troubling case of abandonment involving the vessel WORLD TRADER, identified by its IMO number 7000724. This Belize-flagged ship is currently docked in Brest, France, where it has become the focus of attention due to the distressing situation faced by its crew. Key Details of the Case: - **Flag**: Belize - **Port Location**: Brest, France - **Overdue Wages**: Crew members have not received their salaries for the past four months. - **Total Crew**: 3 seafarers - **Nationality of Crew**: All three crew members are from Venezuela. - **ITF Report Filed On**: December 1, 2025 - **Current Status**: Open This case is part of the ITF's ongoing efforts to monitor and intervene in instances of crew abandonment globally, highlighting the urgent need for improved protections for maritime workers.

The abandoned vessel Panagia Parou has been successfully towed to the breakers, marking the end of its journey. This operation signifies a notable moment in maritime activity as the ship makes its final transition to dismantling. The towing arrangement was executed with precision to ensure the vessel reached the dismantling site safely, paving the way for its decommissioning process.

On January 10, 2015, at approximately 11:00 a.m., the CROSS Gris-Nez (CROSS) oversaw a crucial towing operation 45 nautical miles off the coast of Boulogne. The incident involved the tugboat "World Tug 1," which unexpectedly lost its tow, the empty 130-metric-ton tank barge "Elisa S," while en route from Ceuta to Rotterdam amid challenging weather conditions. In response to the emergency, the maritime prefecture promptly dispatched the tug "Abeille Languedoc" to secure the tank barge. Furthermore, a Dauphin helicopter from the Navy base in Le Touquet was deployed to facilitate the airlift of necessary personnel to the barge. After enduring two rigorous attempts to establish a towing connection in perilous weather, the tug successfully reattached to the barge. The convoy was then set on course for the port of Dunkirk, with an expected arrival scheduled for the morning of January 12.