A prolonged abandonment case involving the 4,257 dwt general cargo vessel MV Azra C has concluded in Turkey, where four remaining Indian crew members were rescued after spending around 10 months onboard without pay, proper supplies, or effective shore-based support.
The 1986-built, 60-metre vessel, registered under the Mongolian flag and operated for a Turkish company since 2023, arrived in Turkey in July 2025 for planned maintenance and drydocking. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly after the ship was detained following a port inspection that reportedly identified 54 deficiencies, raising immediate safety and seaworthiness concerns.
Shortly after arrival, a wider criminal investigation linked to an international drug operation led to the arrest of the vessel’s owner in early 2026. Following this, shore-side support collapsed, with port agents ceasing communication and crew welfare arrangements effectively breaking down.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), MV Azra C was formally listed as abandoned in October 2025, when it still had 15 crew onboard – 13 Indian seafarers, one Egyptian, and one Turkish national. Initial assurances from owners and agents that repairs and wage payments would be completed within days were not fulfilled.
By late 2025, multiple stakeholders including India’s Directorate General of Shipping, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), port authorities, and insurers became involved as conditions onboard worsened. Crew members reported severe shortages of fuel and drinking water, forcing reliance on emergency generators for limited daily needs such as cooking and battery charging.
By March 2026, most of the crew had been repatriated with partial compensation, but four seafarers remained onboard to comply with minimum safety manning requirements while the vessel remained under port control. Their situation continued to deteriorate, with reports of minimal diesel reserves and no structured assistance ashore.
The breakthrough came after Turkish authorities intervened following renewed attention to the case, ordering the coastal safety authority to assume control of the vessel. The remaining crew were finally evacuated via lifeboat and transferred to their consulate for repatriation procedures.
The case highlights the persistent global issue of ship abandonment, which maritime labour organizations say has been rising sharply. The ITF reported 410 abandonment cases in 2025, affecting more than 6,000 seafarers worldwide, with Indian nationals among the most frequently impacted due to their large representation in the global merchant fleet.
