This week marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006. The MLC is designed as a living instrument, capable of adapting to new and persistent challenges through tripartite dialogue between governments, shipowners, and seafarers. This landmark treaty has significantly improved working and living conditions for seafarers and promoted fair competition in shipping.
However, significant challenges persist, including:
– Unlawful attacks on ships.
– Abandonment and criminalisation of seafarers.
– Fatigue, unpaid wages, and denial of shore leave.
We spoke with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez about his thoughts on seafarer abandonment which he believes is being increasingly impacted by geopolitical forces. The IMO is working to address abandonment cases through the implementation of rules designed to deter shipping companies operating without proper oversight.
The Secretary-General is calling on Member States to step up and says that:
– Member States must take decisive action to help seafarers who have been abandoned.
– The use of measures like port-state control activities is vital to catch companies abandoning their crew before it becomes a problem, which would prevent abandonment cases from happening anywhere in the world.
We agree with the IMO Secretary General that prevention is better than cure.
It is worth noting the scope of the crisis. Data from 2025 reveals a disturbing trend: the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reports 6,223 seafarers were abandoned across 410 ships, marking a 31% increase in ship abandonments compared to 2024. This is an extremely high number and we must remember that the families of these seafarers are also emotionally and financially impacted.
We are grateful to the various charities and organisations that are supporting these seafarers in crisis. We encourage you to visit the sites of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), International Labour Organization, The Mission to Seafarers, Sailors’ Society, International Seafarers’ Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN), Seafarers Hospital Society, Stella Maris and The Seafarers’ Charity to learn more about their vital work.
Our team thinks that greater action by Flag States and Insurers is warranted to impose consequence on owners that walk away from their crews. Do you have other ideas?