The International Transport Federation described conditions onboard a tanker that docked at Ringaskiddy, Cork this morning, as "appalling".
The Liberian registered tanker was held up when dockers refused to help discharge its cargo of molasses until the vessel was restocked with provisions for the 12 Filipion seafarers onboard.
ITF Irish inspector Ken Fleming said that there was insufficient food and no proper drinking water. He added that the seafarers had complained of not being properly paid.
Mr Fleming said the crew onboard
The Lady Chiarawere living in some of the worst conditions he had encountered in almost two years working as an ITF inspector.
"Some of them cried with relief when we came on board, said Mr Fleming today.
The tanker has since been fully restocked with fresh food supplies and the captain of the vessel has also released funds owing to Filipino crew members.
Three of the 12 Filipinos on board are to be repatriated from Belfast, where the 16,000 tonne vessel is due to call on Tuesday.
Siptu said that this the second time in three weeks that dockers at Ringaskiddy had refused to co-operate with ship operators because of the conditions in which their seafarers were forced to work.
