Indian Chief Engineer Dies on M.V. RANI, Union Seeks Probe

Mumbai/New Delhi: The death of Indian seafarer Manoj Kumar, who was serving as Chief Engineer aboard the general cargo vessel M.V. RANI, has prompted the Sailors’ Union of India (SUI) to seek an urgent government investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. In a statement issued on July 8, the union appealed to Indian authorities for immediate intervention, while the exact date and circumstances of Manoj Kumar’s death remain unknown.

The union described the matter as requiring urgent attention and called for all necessary assistance to be extended to the deceased seafarer’s family.

According to the union, Manoj Kumar was employed by Albaron Shipping Ltd., a company registered in Alexandria, Egypt. His employment contract was executed in Tripoli, Libya, on February 13, 2026, and he joined the vessel on February 16, 2026.

The vessel involved, M.V. RANI (IMO 7700207, MMSI 620999659), is a Comoros-flagged general cargo ship built in 1977. The vessel is approximately 81 metres long with a deadweight tonnage of around 2,189 tonnes and has recently called at the Port of Tripoli. Albaron Shipping Ltd. is listed as the registered owner.

A video circulated along with the union’s statement shows a person in a white shirt and dark trousers floating face down in the water alongside the vessel’s blue hull, with an orange lifebuoy visible nearby.

The Sailors’ Union’s appeal was further amplified by maritime media platform Sea and Coast, which also called for intervention by Indian authorities.

As of July 10, no official statement has been issued by Albaron Shipping Ltd., the vessel’s management, or Indian authorities regarding the cause of Manoj Kumar’s death, the repatriation of his remains, or any internal investigation. The incident has also received limited attention in the mainstream media.

The case has once again highlighted broader concerns regarding the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers serving on foreign-flagged vessels. Maritime unions have repeatedly raised issues relating to delayed medical evacuations, inadequate safety protocols, and the lack of clarity in incidents involving deaths at sea.

The maritime community is now awaiting clarity on the circumstances of Manoj Kumar’s death.

The Sailors’ Union of India has said it will continue to pursue the matter until a transparent investigation is conducted and the family receives justice.

Public News X contacted representatives of the Sailors’ Union of India (SUI) by phone to seek additional information regarding the incident, including details of the circumstances surrounding Manoj Kumar’s death. However, the union declined to provide further information beyond its public statement. Public News X also attempted to locate an authenticated photograph of Shri Manoj Kumar through publicly available sources and social media platforms, but no verified image could be found at the time of publication.