Kochi trainee missing from Japanese ship; family seeks government's help

The family of a Kochi-based youth, who has reportedly gone missing from a Japan-flagged commercial vessel, has urged the government to intensify the search for him. Shinton Benny, a native of Manattuparambu near Njarackal, was serving as a deck officer trainee on the Victorious Ace, a car and truck carrier owned and operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines of Japan.

Mr. Benny has been missing since Wednesday, according to a communication the family received from the company. On Saturday (August 15, 2026), the family said the ship was heading to Singapore from South Africa and was scheduled to arrive at its destination on Sunday. The company's offices in Mumbai had informed them that the vessel had briefly turned back to search for the trainee, but further searches would be conducted only after the ship reached Singapore.

The family has filed a complaint with the Njarackal police and has written to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi, and Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, seeking their intervention. The family said they have been in the dark beyond the initial information and are in severe emotional distress.

Shinton's elder brother, Sharon Benny, told The Hindu that his brother had been onboard the ship for the past five months and was due to complete his six-month training next month. He had last contacted the family on Tuesday night, a day before the company reported him missing. Mr. Sharon added that two other Keralites, one from Chalakudy and another from Thiruvananthapuram, were also onboard the ship, but the family had not been able to reach them.

Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden visited the family on Saturday and said he had already taken up the matter with the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping). He said he would also write to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, promising to press for a coordinated search effort.

Neither the shipping company nor its representatives have issued an official statement. An email sent to the firm seeking a response remained unanswered at the time of writing.

The missing youth's family has appealed to the government and the shipping authorities to leave no stone unturned in the search. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers working on foreign vessels, with the family seeking a thorough investigation and a speedy resolution.