The Samoa Observer newspaper reported the world's second largest shipping company was considering a ban on Samoan seamen after the government apparently refused to repatriate stranded nationals.
The report said a leaked email from the Mediterranean Shipping Company hinted at government refusal to allow the 321 nationals in unless shipping companies met the costs of repatriation.
A Samoan government-owned entity, Samoa Shipping Services, handles the placement of seafarers with shipping companies worldwide.
