Indian Seafarers Most Abandoned in 2024 as Global Crisis Escalates
By Mahebub Kureshi
For the second consecutive year, Indian seafarers have faced the highest number of abandonments worldwide, highlighting a growing humanitarian crisis in the global shipping industry. According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), 899 Indian sailors were left stranded on ships in 2024, making up a significant portion of the 3,133 total abandoned seafarers globally.
The alarming figures mark 2024 as the worst year on record for seafarer abandonment, with cases surging by 87% from the previous year. In 2023, 1,676 seafarers were abandoned, including 401 Indians. This year, the next most affected group after Indians were Syrian seafarers, further emphasizing the global nature of the crisis.
A Growing Global Crisis
The ITF defines seafarer abandonment as a situation where sailors are left without pay for at least two months, denied necessary provisions, or are not repatriated after their contracts end. The new data underscores a troubling trend: the exploitation of vulnerable seafarers has reached unprecedented levels.
The number of abandoned vessels has also seen a sharp rise. In 2024, a total of 312 ships were deserted by their owners, a staggering 136% increase from the 132 vessels abandoned in 2023.
The ITF report highlights that 81% of these abandoned ships were registered under “Flags of Convenience” (FoC), a system that allows shipowners to register vessels in countries with weak labor laws and lax safety regulations. This loophole enables companies to evade financial obligations and sidestep international labor protections, leaving seafarers in dire situations.
Seafarers Left Stranded Without Basic Needs
Many abandoned sailors are left in remote locations with little access to food, water, medical care, or means to return home. Reports indicate that some crews have been forced to rely on charity organizations for survival while waiting for assistance.
A group of Indian seafarers stranded in the Middle East recounted their harrowing experience of being stuck on a vessel for months without salaries. “We have no fresh water, no fuel to cook, and no hope of getting home soon,” one sailor said in an interview. “We were promised wages, but our company has vanished.”
Similarly, in the case of a Syrian-flagged vessel abandoned in Southeast Asia, its crew of 15, including three Indian nationals, were found in deteriorating health conditions. The ship’s owner had reportedly stopped responding to calls, leaving the sailors to fend for themselves.
Regulatory Failure and Calls for Reform
Despite the growing crisis, international bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have struggled to enforce regulations that could prevent abandonment cases. The ITF, which has been tracking these cases, has submitted its latest findings to the IMO but expressed doubts over its ability to bring meaningful change.
“The UN agencies have no teeth to enforce anything,” the ITF report states, criticizing the lack of accountability among shipowners and the regulatory gaps that allow such incidents to continue unabated.
Stephen Cotton, ITF’s general secretary, stressed the urgent need for stronger enforcement and legal consequences for shipowners who abandon their crews. “By reporting so many cases, seafarers are sending a clear message: they’ve had enough of being treated like slaves,” Cotton said. “The solution is clear: better regulation, enforcement, and accountability from governments.”
Industry experts argue that without stricter laws and enforcement mechanisms, the problem will only worsen. “The rise in abandonment cases is a direct result of poor regulation and weak penalties for non-compliant shipowners,” said Captain Ramesh Iyer, a maritime legal expert. “Unless governments step up and enforce stricter measures, seafarers will continue to suffer.”
The Role of Flags of Convenience
The use of Flags of Convenience remains a significant driver of abandonment cases. Countries that offer these registrations, such as Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands, often lack stringent labor protections, making it easier for shipowners to neglect their responsibilities.
“Most abandoned ships are registered under FoC states, which means their crews have little recourse when owners disappear,” said a representative from the ITF. “These registries must be held accountable for the well-being of the sailors they claim to oversee.”
India’s Response and the Way Forward
With nearly 900 Indian seafarers abandoned in 2024, India faces growing pressure to protect its maritime workforce. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has pledged to work closely with international organizations to track and assist stranded Indian sailors. However, seafarers’ unions argue that stronger measures are needed, including better vetting of shipping companies and mandatory financial safeguards to ensure sailors receive their wages even if a company goes bankrupt.
“The government needs to set up an emergency fund for abandoned seafarers,” said a spokesperson for the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI). “We need stricter laws to prevent rogue companies from exploiting our workers.”
Internationally, there have been growing calls for reforms in how the maritime industry is regulated. Proposals include stricter requirements for ship registration, stronger penalties for shipowners who abandon their crews, and a centralized fund managed by the IMO to assist stranded sailors.
Conclusion
The crisis of seafarer abandonment reached an unprecedented scale in 2024, with Indian sailors bearing the brunt of the fallout. While advocacy groups continue to push for change, the lack of enforcement and regulatory loopholes remain significant barriers. Without urgent action from governments and international bodies, thousands more seafarers may find themselves stranded, unpaid, and left to survive on their own in the coming years.
For now, abandoned seafarers and their families can only hope that the growing attention to their plight will finally lead to real change in the global shipping industry.
