Over 2,000 Seafarers Abandoned on 222 Vessels This Year – Massive Wage Losses and Rampant Use of Flags of Convenience, ITF Reports
The number of seafarers abandoned without wages, supplies, or means to return home has skyrocketed in 2025, according to new data from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
As reported by Splash247, the ITF reveals that 2,280 seafarers were abandoned on 222 vessels worldwide during the first half of this year—a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. The unpaid wages total over $13 million, the organization states.
By contrast, in 2024, the ITF recorded 172 abandonment cases involving 1,838 seafarers, with unpaid wage claims amounting to $11.5 million during the same timeframe.
The issue is particularly acute in the Middle East and Europe, with Turkey singled out as a key offender. The ITF also sharply criticizes flags of convenience, which enable shipowners to operate with minimal oversight.
“We’re seeing a pattern of abuse that cannot be ignored and must be confronted,” Steve Trowsdale, ITF’s Inspectorate Coordinator, told the media.
The organization highlights that nearly 75% of abandoned vessels sail under flags of convenience, such as those of St. Kitts & Nevis, Tanzania, and the Comoros. These registries are often used to obscure ownership and evade international regulations.
The ITF now calls for increased pressure from port states and international bodies, including the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), to hold responsible shipowners accountable.
According to the ITF, the crisis stems from systemic enforcement failures, inadequate insurance coverage, and shipowners withholding wages and basic supplies. The organization warns that this trend threatens the very foundation of global trade.
