Karachi, July 19, 2025
In a troubling development with grave humanitarian implications, an LPG vessel named Gas Falcon has been detained at Beira Port in Mozambique over an unresolved payment dispute — leaving its crew, including several Pakistanis, stranded aboard in rapidly deteriorating conditions.
The vessel, which is reportedly being held by Italian port agents over unpaid dues, has been docked for nearly two weeks without access to food, fuel, water, or even basic life-support systems. The situation has escalated into a full-blown emergency for those aboard, prompting international concern and calls for immediate intervention.
“We’re Running Out of Everything”: Captain’s Desperate Call
Captain Muhammad Aslam, a Pakistani national commanding the vessel, issued a distress Mayday call earlier this week as systems on board began to fail one after another. “We’re out of diesel, drinking water, and food. The cooling systems are down, and the temperature inside the ship is unbearable,” he said in a recorded voice note shared with media outlets. “Our emergency lights will shut off soon. Even our mobile devices are dying.”
Three of the crew members — including the captain, first officer, and chef — are Pakistani. The remaining include over 10 Indonesian nationals. While Indian authorities reportedly managed to extract their citizens from the ship, no such assistance has yet reached the stranded Pakistanis.
Diplomatic Machinery Moves — But Slowly
In response to mounting media pressure, Director General Ports and Shipping Aaliya Shahid confirmed that contact has been established with the Pakistani crew. “We are in touch with Mozambican officials and are actively working to resolve the issue,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure the release of the crew at the earliest possible time.”
Captain Aslam, however, remains skeptical. “We have reached out multiple times to authorities in Pakistan. All we’ve gotten so far is silence. Every passing hour is worsening our situation.”
Life Aboard a Floating Prison
Life on board the Gas Falcon has reportedly become unbearable. With no fuel to power refrigeration units, perishable food has rotted. Clean water is gone. The summer heat, trapped within the vessel’s steel hull, is suffocating the remaining crew. There are growing concerns over the crew’s mental and physical health as the standoff continues.
According to tracking data from MarineTraffic, the vessel — an LPG carrier sailing under the flag of Gabon — was last located in the East African waters of the Indian Ocean nearly two weeks ago. The ship measures 113 meters in length and nearly 16 meters in width.
Government Takes Notice
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has taken notice of the incident and directed immediate assistance to the stranded Pakistani crew members. The ministry confirmed it is in active contact with Captain Aslam and is coordinating with Mozambican port authorities.
“We are treating this as a humanitarian emergency. Relief must be provided immediately — regardless of the legal dispute,” the minister stated. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been roped in to expedite diplomatic outreach and secure the safe return of Pakistani nationals.
Legal Limbo and International Bureaucracy
The Gas Falcon’s detention stems from an unresolved payment row — likely related to port fees or fuel charges — but the exact details remain murky. The ship, owned and operated under foreign entities, finds itself at the center of a complex web of maritime law, flag-state responsibilities, and contractual disputes.
While the vessel’s ownership and registration under Gabon’s flag further complicate the legal status of the crew, maritime experts say port authorities still have a duty to ensure the basic rights and safety of those on board.
The Clock Is Ticking
With temperatures rising and hope dwindling, time is now the most pressing enemy. For Captain Aslam and his crew, what began as a routine shipping assignment has turned into a harrowing ordeal. And while diplomatic channels are now moving, it may not be fast enough for those trapped aboard without light, food, or fresh air.
As Pakistan steps up its efforts to bring its citizens home, this incident also serves as a stark reminder of how quickly maritime workers can fall through the cracks — stranded at sea, caught between paperwork and politics.
