The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has sounded a grave alarm regarding a disturbing and escalating humanitarian crisis within the maritime industry: the abandonment of seafarers. New figures released by the ITF today (likely around mid-July 2025, given the context) reveal a significant surge in such cases worldwide.
Alarming Rise in Seafarer Abandonment Cases
In 2025, a staggering 37% of all abandonment cases globally have occurred in the Arab World, making it the highest proportion of any region. Europe accounts for 34% of cases, with the majority occurring in Turkiye, a nation that ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) in 2017 and it came into force for them in 2018. This European share is more than double that of Asia Pacific, the next highest region.
Steve Trowsdale, the ITF’s Inspectorate Coordinator, highlighted a “pattern of abuse that cannot be ignored,” particularly noting a “huge increase in seafarer abandonment cases” in the Gulf region, especially the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and in Europe. He emphasized that much more needs to be done to crack down on rogue shipowners who abandon their responsibilities.
“Every single case of abandonment is a disgrace. It’s an intentional abuse of human rights, and the failure to end abandonment exposes a systemic problem in the maritime industry,” Trowsdale stated.
Under international law, “abandonment” is specifically defined to include situations where seafarers are denied pay for two months or more, left stranded, or deprived of essential support like food or medical care.
Flags of Convenience Under Scrutiny
The figures clearly illustrate the role of structural enablers in this crisis. The Flags of Convenience (FOC) system remains central to the problem, with nearly 75% of abandoned vessels in 2025 so far operating under FOCs. Flag states such as St. Kitts & Nevis (26 cases), Tanzania (26 cases), and Comoros (18 cases) disproportionately dominate the abandonment lists.
These FOC flags offer shipowners anonymity, deregulation, and a degree of immunity from scrutiny, often at the direct expense of seafarer rights. These flag states frequently fail to enforce international obligations or pursue shipowners who shirk their responsibilities at the first sign of financial trouble.
Trowsdale condemned the FOC system as “parasitic on the maritime industry,” asserting that it allows shipowners to “hide behind paper jurisdictions while seafarers are left abandoned on rusting hulls.” He added that countries that enable these crimes, whether by ignoring them or profiting from them, become complicit in the abuse.
ITF Demands Accountability
The ITF is urgently calling on international regulators, port states, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to take decisive action.
With global trade heavily reliant on seafarers, the ITF warns that continued inaction not only threatens human lives but also undermines the integrity of the entire shipping industry, which is already grappling with a significant recruitment and retention crisis.
Common factors contributing to abandonment and hindering its resolution include a lack of enforcement and responsiveness from flag and port states, the absence of adequate insurance for vessels, and shipowners’ refusal to accept responsibility for crew welfare. These are not merely administrative oversights; they are systemic failures that enable an industry where seafarers can be discarded when they become inconvenient. The ITF asserts that accountability is paramount to stop this exploitation and preserve the workforce vital to global trade.
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Source: International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
