- Leading maritime organizations urge fair treatment and due process for seafarers detained during duty-related incidents, citing rising criminalization concerns.
- The IMO, ILO, ICS, and ITF stress stronger legal safeguards, better coordination, and judicial training to uphold seafarers’ rights.
- Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers have been adopted, with a future focus on enforcement, insurer accountability, and systemic reform.
At a high-level joint event hosted at the IMO Headquarters in London, global maritime stakeholders issued a strong call for the humane and dignified treatment of seafarers detained in the course of their duties. Representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) emphasized the urgency of respecting seafarers’ human rights and ensuring swift repatriation by IMO/ILO guidelines, according to S&P Global.
Criminalization of Seafarers Remains a Global Concern
Participants acknowledged the continued rise in unfair criminalization cases, highlighting the negative effects on seafarer morale and overall industry confidence. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez reiterated the essential role seafarers play in global trade and urged collective efforts to ensure their legal protection and well-being remain global priorities.
Strengthening Legal and Institutional Safeguards
Corinne Vargha, Director of the ILO’s International Labour Standards Department, called for robust implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to protect seafarers from criminalization. She stressed the importance of training prosecutors and judges to understand the unique working conditions of seafarers. ICS Secretary General Thomas Kazakos also emphasized the need for continued collaboration to shield seafarers from being unfairly targeted and to reinforce long-term industry resilience.
Urgency of Enforcement and Collective Accountability
Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary, described the criminalization of seafarers as a worsening crisis requiring immediate, coordinated action. He underscored that while policies and guidelines exist, implementation remains inconsistent across many jurisdictions. He urged all stakeholders to push for enforcement, data collection, and shared responsibility to uphold seafarers’ rights.
Case Studies and Guideline Implementation
The event featured testimonies from stakeholders across the maritime supply chain and highlighted real-world cases of seafarer detention. The IMO and ILO, with input from the Tripartite Working Group, have adopted new guidelines focused on fair treatment during legal proceedings. These guidelines aim to uphold due process, prevent arbitrary detention or coercion, and maintain the seafarers’ rights to wages, healthcare, and repatriation throughout any investigation.
Future Actions and Strategic Focus
Participants called for practical steps to ensure systemic change. These include introducing judiciary training programs in maritime law, improving Member State coordination for consistent enforcement, and involving insurers and P&I Clubs in providing legal coverage and supporting seafarers’ welfare during crises.
Supply Chain and Industry Risks
The discussion also highlighted how seafarer criminalization disrupts crew changes, destabilizes supply chains, and exposes the maritime sector to reputational and operational risks. Maritime companies were urged to invest in awareness programs, develop jurisdiction-wide protection protocols, and ensure seafarers are not left to bear the burden of legal and financial uncertainties.
Call to End Abandonment and Unjust Detention
Consensus emerged around the principle that seafarers must never be left vulnerable to abandonment, legal ambiguity, or detention due to regulatory loopholes. With the backing of the IMO, ILO, ICS, and ITF, maritime leaders pledged to uphold the rights of seafarers as indispensable workers at the heart of global trade.
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Source: S&P Global
