Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand
The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is voicing its concern regarding the welfare of underpaid seafarers onboard the vessel Vega (formerly the Aratere), which is sitting at anchor in Tasman Bay for over 50 days.
MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay says the Union has received reports regarding the wellbeing of crew members onboard the vessel, which is understood to be awaiting transit to a ship breaking yard.
Contracts obtained by the Union confirm the vessel is currently registered to Jahaj Solutions (F.Z.E), based in U.A.E.
“This vessel was once the flagship of New Zealand’s ferry fleet. It is now sitting off our coast with a foreign crew who are cut off from shore, and on contracts that pay well below International Labour Organization (ILO) minimum standards,” Mr Findlay says.
Crew agreements viewed by the Union reveal that an Able Seaman on board is being paid a basic wage of just US$206 per month. This is significantly below the ILO minimum basic wage for an Able Seafarer, which rose to US$690 per month on 1 January 2026.
Even with overtime and allowances included, the total monthly pay for an Able Seaman is only US$550, still far below accepted international minimums.
“The crew have now been onboard with the ship at anchor for nearly two months with no sign of progress,” Mr Findlay says.
While the vessel’s agents and Master have claimed the crew are in good health and that provisions are being supplied, Mr Findlay says there needs to be independent verification.
MUNZ is calling on regulator Maritime NZ to conduct an immediate, independent welfare check on all crew members onboard the Vega to ensure they are safe, paid correctly, and have the option to be repatriated if they wish to leave the vessel.
