Seafarer abandonment reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with 6,223 crew members left stranded across 410 vessels, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The figures mark the sixth consecutive year in which the number of ships experiencing abandonments has broken records, and the fourth consecutive year for seafarer abandonment itself.
The ITF warned that the situation has become systemic, describing the crisis as “nothing short of a disgrace” to the industry. In total, abandoned seafarers were owed $25.8 million in unpaid wages, of which $16.5 million has so far been recovered and returned.
“It’s nothing short of a disgrace that, yet again, we are seeing record numbers of seafarers abandoned by unscrupulous ship owners. Every day, all around the world, seafarers face horrific violations of their human and labour rights, all so that bottom-feeding companies can make a quick buck at their expense.” said said David Heindel, Chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Section. The federation has called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to take stronger action, coordinating international efforts to eradicate abandonment.
The numbers represent a 31% increase in such ship abandonments compared to 2024, and a 32% increase in seafarer abandonment. The worst-affected nationalities in 2025 were Indian seafarers, with 1,125 abandoned, followed by Filipinos (539), Syrians (309), Indonesians (274), and Ukrainians (248). The Middle East recorded the highest number of incidents, particularly Türkiye (61) and the United Arab Emirates (54). Flag of Convenience (FOC) vessels were disproportionately involved, accounting for 337 of the cases, or 82% of the total.
The ITF emphasized that abandonment includes failure to pay contractual wages for at least two months, refusal to cover repatriation costs, and withholding essential maintenance or support. Experts warn the human and financial toll is severe, leaving many seafarers in prolonged distress and debt.
The ITF is calling for the following steps to be taken to tackle seafarer abandonment:
- Flag States to be compelled to log a ship’s beneficial owner, including contact details, as a pre-condition for registration
- National blacklisting of ships to protect seafarers from ships with repeated involvement in abandonment cases, following the lead of India’s DG Shipping
- Government investigations into the use of Flags of Convenience, as is currently underway in the USA
India has already announced measures to protect seafarers through blacklisting ships with a history of abandonment.
Industry specialists warn that unless regulators and shipowners address these systemic issues, the crisis will continue, threatening the mental wellbeing of seafarers and the long-term availability of skilled maritime personnel.
