As of May 2025, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has recorded 158 cases of ship abandonment, surpassing the 119 cases reported during the same period in 2024. These incidents have affected over 1,500 seafarers, many of whom have been left without wages, food, water, or access to ports — sometimes for months.
“Abandonment is becoming a systemic crisis,” said Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the ITF. “Behind every number is a human being who has been failed by the shipping industry and the governments responsible for regulating it. The fact that we’re on track to break last year’s dreadful record shows that urgent reform is essential.”
In 2024, the ITF and its global network of inspectors recovered more than $58.1 million in unpaid wages for seafarers working on vessels registered under so-called flags of convenience (FOCs) — jurisdictions with minimal oversight that have become havens for exploitative shipping practices. Of that amount, $13.5 million was recovered specifically for abandoned seafarers.
So far in 2025, ITF inspectors have already recovered $4.1 million for affected crew members. However, as the number of abandonment cases continues to rise, the federation is growing increasingly concerned about the limits of current enforcement capabilities.
“We are dealing with owners who dodge their responsibilities, while substandard registries often look the other way,” said Steve Trowsdale, ITF’s Inspectorate Coordinator. “In many cases, it’s impossible to identify the actual owner, and flag states are either unwilling or unable to intervene. That’s what makes the rise in cases so dangerous — impunity is growing on all fronts.”
In response to these growing concerns, the ITF has added Tuvalu and Guinea-Bissau to its longstanding list of FOC countries, bringing the total to 45 jurisdictions. Both nations have been linked to so-called “shadow fleets”, which are involved in transporting sanctioned oil and evading regulatory oversight.
Over 50% of the global merchant fleet is now registered under flags of convenience. Even more striking, over 80% of abandoned ships are flagged in these jurisdictions. This system enables unscrupulous shipowners to profit while leaving seafarers vulnerable to severe exploitation.
The ITF continues to advocate for comprehensive global reforms in maritime regulation to end the impunity of ship abandonment and ensure fair treatment and safety for all seafarers worldwide.
