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The family of a Kochi-based youth who has reportedly gone missing from a Japan-flagged commercial ship has sought the government’s intervention to intensify the search for him.
Shinton Benny, a native of Manattuparambu, near Njarackal, and a deck officer trainee with Victorious Ace, a car and truck carrier vessel owned and operated by Japan-based Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, has been missing since Wednesday, as per a communication received by the family from the company. The family on Saturday (August 15, 2026) said as per the latest information they received the ship was heading to Singapore from South Africa and is scheduled to arrive at the destination on Sunday.
The family has filed a complaint with the Njarackal police over the incident and has written letters to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi and Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden seeking their intervention in the matter.
“We have been contacted from the company’s offices in Mumbai. They said the ship returned to some distance to carry out the search. They said the ship was originally scheduled to arrive at Singapore on Friday and will land only on Sunday now. Further searches will be conducted only after that. Beyond this, we don’t have any information,” Mr. Shinton’s elder brother Sharon Benny told The Hindu.
He said Mr. Shinton had been onboard the ship for the past five months and is scheduled to finish his six-month training next month. He said his brother had contacted the family last on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, the family received a call from the company saying the trainee youth was missing. “We have learnt that there are two people from Kerala, one from Chalakudy and another from Thiruvananthapuram, onboard the ship, but we have not been able to contact them,” Mr. Sharon said.
The Ernakulam MP on Saturday visited the family and promised to take up the matter with the DG Shipping, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence. “The family is in severe emotional distress and I have already communicated the matter with the DG Shipping. I will also be writing to the MEA and the Defence Ministry seeking their help,” Mr. Eden told The Hindu.
The shipping company has not issued any statement and a response to an email is awaited from the firm.
Published – August 15, 2026 04:47 pm IST
