Concerns Grow Over Increase in Seafarer Abandonment

In 2023, at least 132 vessels were abandoned by their owners, leaving seafarers without pay, supplies, or support. This represents an increase of 13 ships or 10.92% over the previous year, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). However, the actual number of abandoned vessels is likely higher, as the majority of reports were made by the ITF itself. Abandonment occurs when shipowners fail to cover the cost of a seafarer’s repatriation, leave them without necessary maintenance and support, or unilaterally sever ties with them, including failure to pay contractual wages for at least two months.

Key findings from the ITF show that owed wages from the reported cases were in excess of US$12.1 million, with 1676 seafarers contacting the ITF from abandoned vessels. Indian seafarers were the most abandoned, with over 400 cases. The ITF has received more than $10.9 million in owed wages from 60 of these vessels so far, and the final figure is expected to exceed $12.1 million as cases take time to resolve and more seafarers come forward.

The ITF Inspectorate Coordinator, Steve Trowsdale, described the ongoing rise in seafarer abandonments as unacceptable, attributing it to an industry where seafarers can be treated as a “throw-away commodity.” He emphasized the inhuman consequences of the system on seafarers and their families, and praised ITF inspectors for holding shipowners accountable for their treatment of seafarers.

Source .