New ITF Report Calls For Urgent Action To Protect Seafarers’ Welfare

A new report by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust reveals a worrying decline in seafarers’ access to shore leave since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite global discussions about improving crew welfare, many seafarers continue to face strict restrictions, heavy workloads, and limited port time, leaving them unable to step ashore. The report, “Shore Leave and the Future of Port-Based Welfare,” sheds light on the urgent need for industry-wide action to restore this essential right.

Decline in Shore Leave Access and Its Causes

According to the study, there has been a 61% decrease in seafarers spending time ashore since the pandemic began. Most who do visit welfare centres stay for less than two hours, mainly due to short port stops and increased work demands on board. Additional barriers include company-imposed restrictions and port state controls, which further limit opportunities for shore leave. Welfare providers echo the frustration of seafarers, emphasizing that the loss of this liberty affects their mental health and well-being.

The Need for Shared Responsibility and Action

The report calls for collective responsibility among all maritime stakeholders funders, regulators, and shipping companies. It recommends that:

• Funders like the ITF Seafarers’ Trust continue supporting adaptable welfare services.

• Regulators review work/rest hours and safe manning levels to allow time for shore leave.

• Shipping companies uphold humane working conditions and actively promote seafarers’ welfare.

Industry leaders are urged to ensure that seafarers’ right to shore leave, as stated in the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), is not just a formality but a practical reality.

The findings serve as a stark reminder that seafarers’ welfare depends on shared commitment. If current barriers persist, the industry risks losing essential welfare services and further isolating seafarers. As Dr. Jason Zuidema of ICMA rightly notes, ensuring shore leave should become “the norm again, not the exception.” Reviving this basic right is not only about rest it is about respecting the humanity of those who keep global trade moving.