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The Russian Union of Seafarers (SUR) has reported that a sanctioned Russian-flagged oil tanker has been detained at the Suez Canal over unpaid transit fees, marking the latest in a series of financial and operational troubles surrounding the vessel.
The crude oil tanker Dignity (159,426 dwt), built in 2004, has been owned and managed by Argo Tanker Group since 2023. According to maritime databases, the ship—measuring 274 meters in length—underwent its last inspection in May 2023, shortly after its transfer to Russian ownership.
The vessel has been at the center of multiple Western sanctions. It was cited by the United States for participating in the Russian oil trade and for violating the G7 price cap on crude transactions. Following the U.S. designation in January 2025, the European Union added the tanker to its sanctions list in July, and the United Kingdom followed in September.
Tracking data indicates that the Dignity has been anchored near the Suez Canal for about two months, unable to proceed due to the ongoing financial dispute. Its current AIS signal shows the ship stationary at the Suez anchorage area.
According to the SUR, the 22 Russian crew members aboard the tanker filed a formal complaint on October 15, demanding payment of three months’ worth of unpaid wages. As of October 28, the crew had still not received any funds, and their employer had not responded to their demands. “The employer ignores our requests,” the seafarers reportedly told the union.
This is not the first wage dispute involving the Dignity. In August 2025, the SUR intervened to secure approximately $130,000 in back pay for the same crew, with the assistance of the Russian Maritime Registry of Shipping.
The current situation, however, appears more serious. In addition to the unpaid wages, the union has raised concerns about the vessel’s operational condition, reporting that the ship is running low on fuel and lubricants. The SUR warned that a continued shortage could jeopardize the ship’s power systems and safety.
Despite the worsening conditions, the SUR expressed cautious optimism, saying it hopes the shipowner will soon meet its financial and supply obligations to both the vessel and its crew.
The case of the Dignity highlights a wider issue of seafarer abandonment, which has been increasing globally. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has repeatedly warned of rising abandonment cases, noting earlier this year that the 2025 figures could surpass the record set in 2024. The ITF continues to call for stronger enforcement mechanisms and accountability from shipowners and flag states to protect seafarers’ rights amid tightening sanctions and volatile market conditions
