Turkish cargo ship detained at Haifa Port

The cargo ship Serafina, flagged by Palau and operated by Dalyan Shipping, has been detained at Haifa Port due to “inhumane conditions” found during an inspection. The working conditions on the ship were described as “inhumane.”

Assaf Hadar, an inspector from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), reported finding a lack of employment contracts, improper food storage, insect infestations, and broken toilets on the ship, calling it the worst situation he had encountered in his four years of inspecting ships in Israel.

The inspection revealed multiple violations, including food storage freezers operating above 0°C, rotting meat emitting foul odors, and neglected cleaning facilities. The Haifa Port State Control (PSC) identified 29 defects, 18 of which were significant enough to warrant the ship’s detention on their own.

According to the ITF, Serafina is registered under the flag of Palau, which is known as one of the worst flags operating in the Mediterranean. The crew consisted of 12 Turkish nationals and 5 individuals from Egypt and Azerbaijan, who faced horrendous living conditions, including insect and flea infestations, empty and improperly stored freezers, and broken toilet and shower facilities.

Equasis data shows that Serafina is owned by Dalyan Shipping LTD and managed by Mert Marine Corp.