The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has successfully facilitated the repatriation of 12 seafarers who had been stranded aboard the MV Rahaf Moon following the withdrawal of support from the vessel’s owner.
The intervention followed the vessel’s identification in Ghanaian waters on January 20, 2026. The ship, registered under the flag of St Kitts and Nevis, had been left without adequate support from its owner, ATSE Global Shipping Company Limited, resulting in difficult living conditions for the crew.
According to a statement issued by the GMA and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday, the stranded crew comprised nine Indian nationals, two Azerbaijanis and one Turkish national.
The seafarers reportedly endured prolonged shortages of essential supplies, including food and fresh water, while their unpaid wages accumulated to more than US$150,000.
In response, the GMA coordinated a multi-agency intervention aimed at protecting the crew and ensuring that Ghana met its obligations under international maritime standards.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Point 3 Logistics and Boti Crew were among the organisations involved in the response.
The intervention also received support from the vessel’s Protection and Indemnity Club, legal representatives, the Indian High Commission and the Turkish Embassy in Ghana.
The GMA said emergency supplies, including food, potable water, fuel and other essential items, were provided to the crew. Measures were also implemented to preserve the safety and operational condition of the vessel while arrangements were made for the seafarers’ departure.
A major outcome of the intervention was the recovery of four months of outstanding wages owed to the crew before they were safely repatriated to their respective countries on July 23, 2026.
The Authority stressed that under international maritime law, seafarers’ wage claims enjoy legal protection and priority in the settlement of claims against a vessel.
The MV Rahaf Moon is currently under the custody of the GPHA and is subject to legal proceedings that could result in its judicial sale. The GMA said outstanding wage claims would continue to be addressed through those proceedings.
Following the departure of the original crew, the Authority directed the deployment of a qualified Ghanaian skeletal crew to maintain security and essential operations aboard the vessel.
The GMA also said it was developing a legal framework to regulate the management of proceeds from any eventual judicial sale of the vessel. The framework is expected to provide for the settlement of approved expenses, maintenance costs and other legitimate claims.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting seafarers’ welfare, strengthening cooperation among maritime stakeholders and ensuring Ghana’s compliance with international maritime obligations.
