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The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has reported a sharp rise in seafarer abandonment cases, with 2,286 crew members left stranded aboard 222 vessels so far in 2025—a 30% increase over last year’s record figures. The affected workers are collectively owed $13.1 million in unpaid wages, and many have been denied access to food, medical care, and basic utilities.
🌍 Regional Breakdown
- Middle East and North Africa account for 37% of global abandonment cases, with Gulf states, particularly the UAE, under scrutiny for regulatory failures.
- Europe follows with 34%, with TĂĽrkiye cited as a hotspot due to its non-ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention.
⚠️ Case Spotlight: Philippines
In a recent incident, 13 migrant seafarers were stranded for three months in the Iloilo Strait, Philippines, without electricity, water, or food. Authorities have suspended the vessel’s manning agency, Erica Crew Manning Services, and initiated legal proceedings.
🛑 Flags of Convenience Under Fire
The ITF attributes the crisis in part to the Flags of Convenience (FOC) system, which allows shipowners to register vessels in jurisdictions with lax oversight. In 2025:
- 75% of abandoned vessels were registered under FOC states
- Top offenders include St. Kitts & Nevis, Tanzania, and Comoros, each with over 18 cases
🗣️ ITF Calls for Accountability
The ITF is urging Gulf and European nations to strengthen enforcement and hold shipowners accountable. Inspectorate Coordinator Steve Trowsdale stated:
“Every single case of abandonment is a disgrace… Continued inaction threatens not just lives, but the integrity of the shipping industry itself”
The federation is also calling on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and port states to implement stricter compliance mechanisms and ensure seafarer welfare is protected.
You can read the full ITF report on their official site.
