Pakistan Embassy in Cairo extending full support to the stranded Pakistani sailors

Eighteen Pakistani sailors, including the Captain of the ship, have been stranded onboard MV AKKAZ in the Red Sea, near the port of Suez.

The Ship, owned by a Kuwaiti company and chartered by a Dutch firm, set sail from Abu Dhabi on 11 August 2016, destined for Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt and a port in Netherlands. It reached Suez waters on 13 October, but was not allowed to enter Suez Canal due to mechanical failure and expiry of technical license.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo is in touch with the Captain and an Embassy officer has also visited the ship to check the welfare of the crew. While awaiting technical assistance and repairs by the owners of the Ship, the Pakistani crew members are exploring different options to receive their unpaid dues.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo has been providing consular and logistic assistance to the crew. The Embassy has also made all the requisite arrangements for their repatriation which shall be undertaken as and when decided by the Captain and crew members.

Islamabad
20 December 2016

635/2016