22 November 2021

As the effort to repatriate a stranded community of I-Kiribati seafarers accelerates, pressure is mounting on the Kiribati government to facilitate the return of its citizens.

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Danish shipping company Maersk, one of the main employers of Kiribati’s seafarers, has attempted to negotiate potential passage home with the Kiribati government, but has so far had little success despite participation from the International Labour Organization and International Maritime Organization.

Speaking to Human Rights at Sea, Maersk reported that the government’s reluctance to permit full repatriation has resulted in a company decision to transfer crewmembers from Australia to Fiji, to complete the final leg of the journey via chartered vessel.

“The Government in Tarawa [the capital of Kiribati] have repeatedly refused our suggestions, including covering all costs, to repatriate the seafarers stranded in Brisbane directly from Australia to Kiribati by plane,” Maersk said.

“The Kiribati Government is only prepared to entertain a conversation about sailing the stranded seafarers from Fiji to Kiribati. The Government of Kiribati is presently in negotiation with a cruise line about providing this transport.

“While we do not find this solution optimal and would prefer to repatriate our seafarers by plane both from Fiji and Australia, we have offered to cover the cost of this cruise vessel together with other shipping companies employing seafarers from Kiribati.

“Hence, to secure our seafarers stranded in Brisbane will be reunited with their families as soon as possible, we will have to repatriate this group of seafarers via Fiji.”

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