The master of a ship on which a container exploded during loading at the Jebel Ali port in Dubai in July 2021 has finally been allowed home to India thanks to support from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
However, to secure his freedom, the seafarer had to sell his house to pay a significant fine imposed by a Dubai court.
Captain Santosh Kumar, who was in charge of the Ocean Trader on the night of the incident, has been under police investigation for 18 months - during which he was not allowed to leave Dubai. He was also prevented from working to support his family. He has protested his innocence throughout.
After Kumar received little help from the ship’s owner, Sash Shipping Corp (a company registered in Panama), or its managers Inzu Ship Charter LLC (based in the UAE), the ITF stepped in to arrange legal representation and accommodation during the year and a half he was unable to work.
Kumar is still owed wages totalling thousands of US dollars, his claim dating back to March 2021. His lawyers are continuing to pursue the outstanding wages on his behalf.
In August 2022, the seafarer was prosecuted over the affair in the Dubai Court of First Instance, along with nine other individuals and companies (including Inzu) representing ship managers and cargo handlers. He was found guilty of 'causing a fire by mistake to others' properties', given a one-month prison sentence suspended for three years, and fined around $27 500. An appeal hearing in November was unsuccessful.
“The explosion hit the headlines around the world, making this a high-profile case and putting pressure on everyone involved,” said Steve Trowsdale, the ITF’s inspectorate coordinator. “The aftermath has been gruelling for Captain Santosh who, in my view, behaved with honour and probably saved lives on the day. I am delighted he has finally been able to go back to India.”
Dubai authorities would not allow Kumar to leave the UAE until the fine was paid, and having received no wages from his employers in nearly two years, his only option was to sell his house in India. After paying the fine and clearing a few further legal hurdles, he was able to go home earlier this month.
