Seafarers are facing significant challenges in accessing shore leave, with recent research indicating a sharp decline in their ability to go ashore since the pandemic began. A study by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, titled Shore Leave and the Future of Port-Based Welfare, revealed a 61% decrease in the time seafarers spend at welfare centres since 2020. Alarmingly, nearly 70% of respondents reported that most crew members now have less than two hours ashore during their limited opportunities.
This trend is supported by a World Maritime University report, which found that 25% of seafarers experienced no shore leave during an average six-and-a-half-month contract, while nearly half spent less than three hours on land. The survey, which included responses from 96 staff and volunteers across 83 welfare organizations in 25 countries, highlighted that short port stays and company restrictions are significant barriers to seafarers leaving their ships.
Katie Higginbottom, head of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, emphasized the disconnect between industry commitments and reality, urging that shore leave should be recognized as essential for seafarers’ health and well-being. Without intervention, the report warns of a “vicious circle” where fewer crew members taking shore leave could lead to declining welfare services, further limiting future opportunities for seafarers. Industry leaders stress the need for a coordinated effort among shipowners, regulators, and welfare organizations to restore shore leave as a standard practice.
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