THE government is allowing a firm to cash in on the new so-called freeports despite it failing to settle a deficit in its workers’ pension fund, seafarers’ leaders warned today.

RMT said that the government should suspend port operator DP World from involvement in free-trade zones because its subsidiary P&O Ferries owes its maritime workers’ pension fund £146 million.

The company’s failure is putting the future of the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund (MNRPF) in jeopardy, threatening the pensions of 19,000 seafarers, the union said.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT believe that DP World’s failure to meet its obligations to the fund are not only putting the future of the MNRPF in doubt but also creating significant risk for small maritime employers in communities across the UK who could be forced to meet this debt if the deficit is not met.”

He said DP World had recently splashed out £147m sponsoring a sports tournament “while hardworking seafarers’ pensions are put at risk” because of P&O Ferries’ inability to pay.

“DP World have interests in four maritime freeports contracts and as result will be benefiting from the lower tax rates applied to a range of activities within freeports at the same time that it is failing to meet its pension obligations,” Mr Cash said.

“RMT will be making it clear to government that they must take immediate action against DP World and suspend their involvement in freeports until they make good what they owe to the MNRPF.”

DP World was invited to comment.