Indian Seafarers Abandoned by Deceitful Recruiters in Foreign Ports

Indian shipping officials have raised concerns about deceitful recruiters who are failing to alert authorities when seafarers they have placed are abandoned and arrested in foreign ports. The country’s directorate general of shipping highlighted the issue in a circular, citing cases of seafarers being stranded in countries such as Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia due to questionable recruitment practices.

While the directorate did not provide specific details about these practices, Indian officials previously reported over 200 cases since 2020 of seafarers being placed on different ships than the ones they originally signed up for. This alarming trend has left many seafarers in vulnerable situations, with limited resources and support in unfamiliar territories.

The recruitment process for seafarers is crucial in ensuring their safety and well-being while at sea. It is imperative for recruiters to uphold ethical standards and transparency to prevent instances of abandonment and exploitation in foreign ports. The shipping industry must address these issues to protect the rights and livelihoods of seafarers who play a vital role in global trade and maritime operations.

Source .