In 2025, over 2,280 seafarers were abandoned on 222 vessels, reflecting a 30% rise from the previous year. The International Transport Workers’ Federation reported $13.1 million in unpaid wages, highlighting severe human rights violations. The Gulf states and Europe face criticism for their inaction, as nearly 75% of abandoned vessels are registered under Flags of Convenience.
In 2025, over 2,280 seafarers were abandoned on 222 vessels, a 30% rise from the previous year, according to the ITF. Facing dire conditions, they lack pay, food, and medical aid, with unpaid wages reaching $13.1 million. The situation is particularly severe in the Arab World and Europe.
Helio Vicente, director at the International Chamber of Shipping, will lead a task force addressing the alarming rise in seafarer abandonment, from 1,676 in 2023 to 3,133 in 2024. The initiative seeks to enhance an outdated abandonment database, ensuring accurate case reporting and stronger protections for seafarers in the maritime industry.
The ITF reported a sharp increase in seafarer and vessel abandonment in 2024, with Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia Pacific most affected. Seafarers abandoned rose to 3,133 from 1,676 in 2023, while abandoned vessels increased to 312. The report highlighted specific regions with high abandonment incidents and emphasized the need for better regulation.
In 2024, the number of seafarers abandoned at sea reached a record high of 310 cases globally, a 118% increase from the previous year. The surge has been linked to the shadow fleet carrying sanctioned oil, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The IMO and ILO are calling for stronger measures to protect seafarers.
