By Rear Admiral Sanjay Roye AVSM VSM (R), Indian Navy
The global economy thrives on the movement of goods across oceans, with over 80% of world trade by volume carried by sea, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (2021).
Yet, behind this colossal industry lies a hidden human cost: the abandonment of seafarers.
These men and women, who form the backbone of global trade, are often left stranded in foreign ports, unpaid, and forgotten.
The abandonment of seafarers is not just a moral failing but a systemic issue rooted in the murkiness of maritime labor practices, particularly for those from countries with limited economic opportunities.
Despite international regulations, enforcement remains weak, allowing shipowners to evade accountability. This article delves into the darkness of the merchant mariner’s life, exploring the causes, consequences, and critical need for reform.
The Scale Of The Problem
Seafarer abandonment is a pervasive issue, with hundreds of cases reported annually. The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines abandonment as a situation where a shipowner fails to cover the cost of a seafarer’s repatriation, leaves them without necessary maintenance and support, or severs ties with them, including unpaid wages for at least two months.
According to the ILO’s database on abandonment cases, there were 103 reported incidents in 2022 alone, affecting over 1,000 seafarers (ILO, 2023). In 2024, the abandonment of seafarers reached unprecedented levels.
According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), 3,133 seafarers were abandoned globally, marking an 87% increase from the 1,676 cases reported in 2023.
Alarmingly, Indian seafarers were the most affected, with 899 individuals abandoned, accounting for nearly 29% of the total cases, according to a Times of India report. However, these figures likely represent only the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go unreported due to fear of retaliation or lack of awareness among seafarers about their rights.
The problem is particularly acute for seafarers from developing countries such as the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, which supply a significant portion of the global maritime workforce.
For instance, the Philippines, often referred to as the “seafaring capital of the world,” contributes approximately 25% of the world’s seafarers (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2022).
These workers often come from impoverished backgrounds, viewing seafaring as a pathway to economic stability. However, the reality is far grimmer, as they frequently face exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and abandonment.
The Murkiness Of Maritime Labour Practices
The shipping industry operates in a complex web of Flags of Convenience (FOCs), substandard labor practices, and weak regulatory enforcement.
FOCs allow shipowners to register their vessels in countries with lax regulations, enabling them to circumvent labor laws and exploit seafarers. According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), over 70% of the global fleet is registered under FOCs (ITF, 2023).
In 2024, 81% of abandoned vessels sailed under FoCs, allowing shipowners to evade stringent labor and safety regulations (ITF, 2024). Nations such as Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands continue to provide a haven for shipowners seeking minimal oversight. This practice creates a legal grey area where seafarers are left vulnerable to abuse.
The exploitation under FoCs is systemic. By registering ships in jurisdictions with lax labor laws, shipowners reduce costs while increasing profits, leaving seafarers vulnerable.
Many of these ships operate with skeleton crews, pushing workers to extreme fatigue. When financial trouble strikes, shipowners abandon their vessels, often without consequence. While the IMO and ILO have introduced measures to curb this malpractice, enforcement remains inconsistent due to jurisdictional complexities.
Moreover, the contractual arrangements for seafarers are often opaque. Many are employed through manning agencies that act as intermediaries between shipowners and crew.
These agencies frequently charge exorbitant fees, leaving seafarers indebted even before they board a vessel. Once at sea, seafarers are isolated, with limited access to legal recourse or support systems. In cases of abandonment, they are often left stranded in foreign ports, unable to return home due to unpaid wages and lack of repatriation funds.
The Human Cost Of Abandonment
The abandonment of seafarers has devastating consequences, both psychologically and economically. Stranded seafarers often face extreme hardship, including a lack of food, water, and medical care.
The mental toll is equally severe, with many experiencing anxiety, depression, and a sense of hopelessness. A study by the Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI) found that 25% of abandoned seafarers reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (SRI, 2021).
The economic impact is equally dire. Seafarers are often the primary breadwinners for their families, and their abandonment plunges households into financial crisis. Unpaid wages, which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars, are rarely recovered.
According to the ILO, only 30% of abandoned seafarers receive their owed wages within a year of filing a complaint (ILO, 2023). For many, the financial loss is irreversible, pushing families deeper into poverty.
One of the most harrowing aspects of seafarer abandonment is the legal limbo in which they are trapped. Many are left stateless, unable to leave their vessels due to visa restrictions or lack of documentation.
Even when a ship is reported abandoned, legal battles over ownership and responsibility can drag on for months or years, prolonging the suffering of stranded crew members. The psychological toll is devastating, with reports of suicides among abandoned seafarers on the rise.
Despite international protocols, abandoned seafarers have little recourse. National governments are often slow to intervene, prioritizing diplomatic relations with flag states over the rights of their citizens. Even when advocacy groups like the ITF step in, repatriation efforts are lengthy and complex, leaving many seafarers stranded indefinitely.
Systemic Failures, Regulatory Gaps & Lack of Accountability
The abandonment crisis is exacerbated by systemic failures in the shipping industry and weak enforcement of international regulations.
While the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, often referred to as the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights,” provides a framework for protecting seafarers’ welfare, its implementation remains inconsistent. Many countries lack the resources or political will to enforce the convention, leaving seafarers without effective recourse.
One of the major challenges is the fragmented nature of maritime governance. The complexity of ownership structures in shipping allows companies to shift responsibility easily.
Many vessels operate under corporate shells, making it difficult to trace accountability. When abandonment occurs, seafarers are left to navigate a bureaucratic maze of legal systems with little assistance from their home countries.
Furthermore, port states often lack the resources or willingness to take decisive action. While some countries, such as Australia and the Netherlands, have taken proactive steps to penalize shipowners who abandon their crews, many others turn a blind eye, prioritizing commercial interests over labor rights.
The Role Of Global Bodies & The Need For Reforms
Addressing the abandonment crisis requires concerted action from global bodies, governments, and the shipping industry. The IMO and ILO have taken steps to raise awareness and improve reporting mechanisms, but more needs to be done.
Strengthening the enforcement of the MLC, particularly in FoC countries, is critical. This includes imposing penalties on shipowners who fail to meet their obligations and ensuring that seafarers have access to legal support and financial security.
Governments of labor-supplying countries also have a role to play. Many seafarers are unaware of their rights or lack the means to pursue legal action. Providing education and support services can empower seafarers to assert their rights and hold shipowners accountable.
Additionally, labor-supplying countries should collaborate with international organizations to establish repatriation funds, ensuring that no seafarer is left stranded.
The shipping industry must also take responsibility. While some companies have adopted best practices, the industry as a whole must prioritize seafarers’ welfare. This includes fair wages, safe working conditions, and transparent contractual arrangements.
Industry leaders should also advocate for stronger regulations and greater accountability, recognizing that the well-being of seafarers is integral to the sustainability of global trade.
Suggestive Way Ahead
The abandonment of seafarers is a glaring indictment of the inequalities embedded in the globalized economy. These individuals, who ensure the smooth flow of goods across continents, are entitled to dignity, fairness, and justice.
This crisis transcends the maritime sector, exposing the broader exploitation of vulnerable workers in a profit-driven world. As consumers, we are all implicated, reaping the benefits of global trade while ignoring the plight of those who make it possible.
The time has come for collective action. Governments, industry stakeholders, and international organizations must unite to eradicate the abandonment of seafarers. This demands robust regulations, stringent enforcement, and comprehensive support systems.
The shipping industry must acknowledge that its true value lies not in its ships but in the seafarers who navigate them. Only by safeguarding their rights and well-being can we build a just and sustainable future for global trade.
To address this crisis, the following measures are necessary:
- Stronger Legal Frameworks: International conventions must be updated to impose stricter penalties on shipowners who abandon their crew. Governments should work towards creating an international tribunal for seafarer abandonment cases.
- Enhanced Port State Control: Countries must strengthen inspections and impose immediate sanctions on vessels linked to abandonment cases.
- Mandatory Seafarer Welfare Funds: Shipping companies should be required to contribute to an international fund that ensures wages and repatriation for abandoned seafarers.
- Transparency in Shipping Registries: Flags of Convenience must be held to higher standards, with greater scrutiny of their enforcement mechanisms.
- Greater Role for Trade Unions: The ITF and other maritime unions should be empowered with stronger legal backing to advocate for abandoned seafarers.
If the global community fails to act decisively, seafarer abandonment will continue to be a stain on the maritime industry—one that exposes the hypocrisy of a world that depends on shipping for over 80% of its trade but refuses to protect the very workers who make it possible.
- Rear Admiral Sanjay Roye AVSM VSM (Retd.), Indian Navy, is a former Captain of the Akula-class SSN INS Chakra and Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area. He is a keen follower of maritime and strategic events.
- He may be contacted at sanjayroye (at) gmail.com
