The family of a Kochi youth is urgently seeking government assistance after he reportedly went missing from Japanese commercial vessel. Shinton Benny,a deck officer trainee aboard Victorious Ace,has not been seen since Wednesday,Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.
Shinton,who hails from Manattuparambu near Njarackal,has been on the vessel for five months and was expected to complete his six-month training next month. His last contact with family occurred on Tuesday night, just before they received alarming news from the company. ship, which was en route from South Africa to Singapore,is now scheduled to arrive in Singapore on Sunday, a delay attributed to the search efforts for Shinton.
On Saturday,August 15,2026, the family filed complaint with the Njarackal police and reached out to several officials, including Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan,Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi,and Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, requesting their intervention in the search. “We have been in contact with company’s Mumbai office. They informed us that the ship had to turn back a certain distance to conduct a search,” said Sharon Benny, Shinton's elder brother. “They indicated that the ship was originally set to arrive in Singapore on Friday but will now only reach on Sunday . Further searches will be conducted after that.”
Sharon expressed concern over the lack of information,noting that the family has been unable to establish contact with two other crew members from Kerala,one from Chalakudy and another from Thiruvananthapuram. “We have not been able to reach them,” he added.
In a show of support,MP Hibi Eden visited the Benny family on Saturday, assuring them that he would escalate matter to Directorate General of Shipping,the Ministry of External Affairs,and Ministry of Defence. “The family is experiencing severe emotional distress. I have already communicated with the DG Shipping and will be writing to the MEA and Defence Ministry seeking their assistance,” Eden stated .
As of now, the shipping company has not released any official statement regarding Shinton's disappearance,and family awaits a response to their inquiries. situation remains tense as they hope for news about his whereabouts.
