In 2025, seafarer abandonment hit an unprecedented high, with 6,223 individuals deserted across 410 ships, as reported by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). This marks a 31% rise in ship abandonments and a 32% increase in seafarer abandonment compared to the previous year. Seafarers were owed $25.8 million due to these actions, with the ITF successfully retrieving $16.5 million for the affected workers.
David Heindel, chair of the ITF Seafarers Section, criticized the situation, describing it as a disgraceful violation of human and labor rights perpetuated by greedy shipowners. He emphasized that systemic issues within the industry require collective action from all stakeholders, including seafarers and their unions, to end this ongoing crisis.
Indian seafarers were the most affected, with 1,125 reported cases, followed by Filipino and Syrian seafarers. The Middle East and Europe were recorded as the regions with the highest abandonment rates, mainly involving vessels registered under flags of convenience.
To address these issues, the ITF proposes stricter regulations on ship ownership registration, national blacklisting for repeat offenders, and enhancing the International Maritime Organization’s role in combating abandonment.
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