In a powerful display of maritime humanitarianism, the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) announced that its tanker, Bahra, rescued 45 illegal immigrants from a sinking boat in the Mediterranean Sea, near the Greek coast.
Sheikh Khaled Al-Sabah, Acting CEO of KOTC, stated that the rescue operation took place after the Greek Search and Rescue Center reported a disabled vessel in distress 60 miles off the Greek shoreline at 4:00 pm Kuwait time on Monday. The Bahra, which was nearby immediately responded to the emergency situation.
“All 45 people were rescued and provided with water, food, and temporary shelter aboard the tanker,” Al-Sabah said. He confirmed that the rescued people were in stable condition following the rescue.
The Bahra then proceeded to the Greek island of Crete, where, at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, the illegal immigrants were handed over to Greek authorities after all necessary legal and humanitarian procedures were completed, in accordance with international maritime protocols.
Al-Sabah emphasized that this operation highlights KOTC’s ability to balance operational excellence with humanitarian duty, and stands as a testament to Kuwait’s enduring commitment to placing human lives at the forefront of its values — both at sea and through its development efforts.
This was not the company’s first humanitarian intervention. Al-Sabah recalled similar recent rescues — on June 12, the KOTC tanker Al-Dasma had rescued 40 illegal immigrants and on June 15, 2014, the company’s giant tanker Al Salmi carried out the world’s largest rescue at sea, saving 536 illegal immigrants off the Italian coast, an act that earned global recognition and was honored by the International Maritime Organization.
He reaffirmed that safety and marine environmental protection remain central to KOTC’s strategy and that such rescue efforts reflect its commitment to integrating humanitarian values into its corporate mission, reinforcing Kuwait’s leadership in ethical maritime practices.
