On January 26, an urgent email was sent by a crew member aboard a ghost ship named Beeta near Singapore, outlining the dire conditions experienced by the sailors. The message, reportedly written on behalf of five crew members, revealed that they had not received their wages, were being treated inhumanely, and were facing food shortages. This situation highlights a growing concern regarding the treatment of maritime workers, especially those recruited for operations on ships that are subject to international sanctions.

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), which represents sailors worldwide, is usually familiar with such complaints from various regions. However, the involvement of ghost ships—vessels that operate illegally and without proper documentation—adds complexity to the labor issues at hand. The working conditions aboard these ships raise serious ethical questions, particularly given the reported mistreatment and exploitation of the crew members.

This alarming situation not only paints a grim picture of the lives of individual sailors but also reflects broader systemic problems within the maritime industry. With international sanctions increasingly targeting certain shipping operations, the vulnerabilities of these workers become even more pronounced. Efforts to address these modern slavery-like conditions will require robust action from international regulatory bodies and the maritime industry itself to safeguard the rights and well-being of crew members on ghost ships.