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MV Besart
Date
2026
Location
Lezhe, Albania
The crew of the MV Besart, led by 70-year-old Captain Shafiq Aboud Asmander, has been stranded near Lezhë, Albania, for several months following an unexpected situation caused by a storm that left the vessel unable to continue its voyage.
Since 8 January 2026, the seafarers have remained on board the ship, unable to leave without risking the loss of their unpaid wages. Despite continuing to perform their duties, the crew has not received the salaries they earned during their work at sea. The total unpaid wages now exceed €100,000. According to the shipowner, he refuses to pay, claiming that there are no available funds either for settling the crew’s wages or for freeing the stranded vessel from the coast.
At the same time, local authorities in Albania have not been able to provide a solution to the situation, leaving the crew in a prolonged state of uncertainty. Legal proceedings of this nature may take several years to reach a final resolution. The vessel is facing ongoing technical and living-condition challenges, including an unreliable electricity supply. As time has passed, the situation has been further worsened by rising temperatures and a high presence of mosquitoes, making life on board increasingly difficult. Most of the remaining five-member crew are facing health issues and are dependent on financial support from their families.
On behalf of the crew, we call on Albanian and international organizations to take immediate action. This campaign is an appeal for international solidarity with workers who have fulfilled their duties but remain unpaid and stranded. The aim is to help the crew of the MV Besart recover their unpaid wages and enable them to return home safely to their families after months of hardship at sea. The campaign is being led by a group of filmmakers from Slovakia, who also aim to raise awareness of similar cases and help prevent them from happening in the future. All funds raised will be transferred directly to the crew.
Donate HERE: https://whydonate.com/fundraising/justice-for-mv-besart-crew-return-home-and-recover-unpaid-wages
