Pratik Bijlani –
The maritime industry witnessed an alarming rise in seafarer abandonment cases in 2024, with 310 incidents recorded globally—an unprecedented 118% increase compared to 2023. This surge, the highest in two decades, has left over 3,000 seafarers stranded without pay, provisions, or a means to return home. Indian seafarers have been disproportionately affected, with 899 crew members abandoned in 2024, the highest among any nationality. Many Indian sailors remain stranded without proper documentation or means to return home, enduring harsh conditions and emotional distress.
Economic challenges, including rising operational costs, pandemic aftershocks, and the abuse of “flags of convenience,” have fueled this crisis. Flags of convenience enable shipowners to exploit lax labor and safety regulations, with 81% of abandoned vessels in 2024 registered under such jurisdictions. Panama led with 43 cases, followed by Palau and Tanzania.
A poignant example is the Navimar 3, a tugboat abandoned near Bangladesh. The crew, including an Indian engineer owed 14 months of unpaid wages, remains stranded without documentation. This reflects the broader systemic failure to protect seafarers’ rights.
David Heindel, Chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section, emphasized the urgent need to dismantle the flag of convenience system, citing its role in facilitating labor abuses. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) recovered $60 million in unpaid wages in 2023 but noted the growing scale of the problem, with $20.1 million owed to seafarers in 2024 alone.
Ports in the UAE and Türkiye emerged as hotspots for abandonment, further underlining the global nature of this crisis. The ITF has called for robust international regulations and greater enforcement to ensure shipowners are held accountable.
This dire situation highlights the need for systemic reform to safeguard the rights and welfare of seafarers worldwide, with Indian maritime workers bearing a disproportionate share of the burden.
Marex Media