A sailor spent 10 years on an abandoned ship without the opportunity to go ashore (3 photos + 1 video)

The man hoped that his situation would change and even signed a settlement agreement with his employer, who promised to pay $140 thousand. But time passed, and there were no noticeable changes.





An alarming trend is gaining momentum in global shipping - more and more companies are abandoning their workers in ports without pay or the opportunity to return home. A similar fate befell 62-year-old Abdul Nasser Saleh. The man spent almost 10 years on the Al-Mahi cargo ship, which sailed between the ports of Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

Abdul's problems began in 2015, when the ship's owner abandoned the Al Mahi ship off the coast of Sudan. The sailor spent the last 2 years in the port of Jeddah: he could not even set foot on land due to strict immigration laws in Saudi Arabia, and was also afraid that his wages would not be paid.

In June 2022, the abandoned ship was sent to Jeddah for repairs. The sailor hoped that his situation would change and even signed a settlement agreement with the employer, who promised to pay $140 thousand. But time passed, and there were no noticeable changes.



The ship's owner, Mishal Fahad Abalkhail, 21, who inherited the business from his father, said his company was deeply in debt. The businessman did not agree with the terms of the previously signed settlement agreement and decided to go to court.

Meanwhile, Saleh lived on a ship covered in dust and rust, running around the deck every morning and every evening to maintain his physical fitness. In addition, over all these years, the sailor had accumulated significant debts, because he helped his family financially.

After the intervention of journalists, the shipowner offered Abdul a certain amount of compensation, which he agreed to.

“Even though I didn’t receive the promised amount, it’s better than nothing,” he said.



In April, Saleh returned to his homeland - Egypt. Now his wife and son, who have been fighting for survival for 10 years, are in dire need of medical help.

More than 2,000 seafarers were abandoned on ships around the world last year, according to the UN.