Four tankers in the fleet of UK-controlled Saint James Shipping are in distress, with provisions running short and crew unpaid for months, according to masters, managers and unions.

Lender EnTrust Global is repossessing the fleet and the American Club has cancelled its protection and indemnity cover.

After months with wages unpaid, the crews are now considered abandoned under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) legal consultant John Wood told TradeWinds.