Keralam govt intervenes to repatriate seafarer stranded in Iran after Pakistan authorities fail to return travel documents

The Keralam government has intervened to ensure the safe return of seafarer Akshay H., a native of Prakkulam in Kollam, who is stranded in Bandar Lengeh, Iran, without travel documents. Mr. Akshay is a crew member of the vessel Palm Marine, operated by a shipping company jointly owned by Dubai- and Iran-based entities. When the vessel was docked at a port in Pakistan, the authorities there collected the passports and Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) of the crew members for inspection. However, the documents were reportedly not returned to the ship’s captain.

Subsequently, when the vessel reached a port in Iran, Mr. Akshay prepared to sign off from his duties and return home. However, he discovered that the captain did not have his passport or CDC and he was unable to travel without these essential documents, being stranded in Iran.

Following a directive from the Keralam Chief Minister’s Office, representatives of NoRKA-Roots, the field agency of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA), and G. Devarajan, Special Representative of the Keralam Government in Delhi, contacted Mr. Akshay over the phone and assured him of all assistance in obtaining the necessary travel documents. The shipping company has arranged accommodation for him at a hotel in Bandar Lengeh.

Following communication with the Indian Embassy, Mr. Akshay was asked to appear in person at the Embassy on Thursday (November 12, 2026). As he does not have his passport, an Indian representative will assist him in reaching the embassy, said NoRKA officials.

Speaking to The Hindu over the phone from Iran, Mr. Akshay said an Iranian agent was assigned to him on Thursday to assist him and that he was on his way to the embassy to explain the situation and obtain the necessary travel documents to return home.

A total of 10 crew members, three Iranian nationals, six Myanmar nationals, and one Indian, reportedly did not receive their passports back after the documents were collected for inspection at a port in Pakistan. Mr. Akshay said all six Myanmar nationals who were stranded in Iran had returned home after the Myanmar authorities issued them travel documents, including duplicate passports.

Published - November 12, 2026 03:48 pm IST