Altin

On Nov 15, 2023, the ITF inspector in the Ukraine and the Marine Transport Workers Trade Union received several appeals with complaints about the owner of the 'Zuzanna', which had recently called at one of the private terminals in the port of Izmajil. The crew complained about non-payment of wages and terrible working conditions, particularly the poor technical condition of the vessel and the lack of provisions. The vessel was used to transport agricultural products within the Grain Agreement from Ukraine to the ports of Turkey and Romania. Crew members, both decommissioned and those currently on board, report continued disregard for legitimate seafarers claims and demands by the ship's owner and operator. The Portuguese company with which the sailors signed labour contracts also did not respond to the request. Meanwhile, overseas employment agencies continue to offer jobs on the 'Zuzanna' to seafarers in dire straits. Having read the text of the labour contract of one of the former crew members, the Marine Transport Workers Trade Union does not recommend seafarers to work on the ship. According to the contract, the captain?s salary is 4,500 dollars and consists of a basic part of 3,500 dollars and a bonus (1,000 dollars), which is calculated at the discretion of the company and paid at the end of the contract. As practice shows, sailors do not even receive the main part of their salary, not to mention bonuses. Expecting assistance from the administration of the vessel's flag state, given the jurisdiction, also does not make sense. The Marine Transport Workers Trade Union reminds before signing an employment contract, it is necessary to carefully check the ship and the companies related to it.

In the morning of June 29, 2014, the "Zuzanna" got in trouble at Stensarmen in Tønsberg/Nøtterøy at the Channel Bridge due to strong currents. A police patrol was sent to the scene by 12:30 p.m. The ship had got out of control and bounced against piers with its stern and bow and was about to bounce sideways into the Channel bridge before finally berthing. The ship left the port again around midnight bound to the Oslo Fjord. Norwegian report with photos: http://www.tb.no/nyheter/vitne-skipet-var-totalt-uten-styring-1.8493733