05/11/2024
Report on the Activities of Some Agents in Iran’s Maritime Industry
Greetings to all sea enthusiasts and the maritime community in the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea. This report outlines some critical points regarding the conduct of certain agents in Iran’s maritime industry.
Currently, there are agents operating in Iran whose sole focus is personal profit. To this end, they often employ vulnerable seafarers, many of whom are inexperienced and facing economic hardship. These agents ignore international laws and safety standards, sending foreign seafarers to work on Iranian vessels without adequate safety measures. Not only does this endanger the health and safety of these seafarers, but it also harms the reputation of Iran’s maritime industry.
Exploitation of Foreign Workers and Lack of Sufficient Oversight
Many of these agents, taking advantage of regulatory gaps, bring foreign seafarers to Iran and assign them to vessels that may lack proper safety measures or may even be involved in activities like fuel smuggling or other types of cargo smuggling. Instead of prioritizing safety and well-being, these agents focus on revenue from service charges, and once they have deployed these seafarers, they bear no further responsibility. In cases of accidents or legal violations, these agents evade accountability and avoid legal consequences.
Lack of Valid Contracts and Legal Protection
To sidestep their responsibilities, these agents often provide seafarers with contracts that lack the necessary stamps and signatures from the vessel owners or the agents themselves. In some cases, the agent retains the signed contract in their office, preventing the seafarer from obtaining a copy. This means that if issues arise, there is no legal document to support the seafarer's claims, and without a valid contract, courts and authorities in Iran cannot help the seafarers.
Avoiding Reliable and Safe Contracts
Knowing about the potential issues on vessels engaged in activities such as cargo smuggling or fuel smuggling, these agents deliberately avoid obtaining the owner’s signature or the vesse
