Over 2,280 seafarers have been abandoned aboard 222 vessels so far this year – with $13.1 million in unpaid wages and a 30% year-on-year increase in cases
New figures released today by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reveal yet another disturbing surge in the abandonment of seafarers worldwide.
So far in 2025, at least 2,286 seafarers on 222 vessels have been left stranded, often without pay, food, or medical support. By comparison, at this point in 2024, already the worst year on record for seafarer abandonment, there had been 172 cases involving 1,838 seafarers and $11.5 million in unpaid wages.
A staggering 37% of all abandonment cases in 2025 have occurred in the Arab World – the highest proportion of any region globally. Thirty-four percent have taken place in Europe (the majority in Turkiye, yet to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention) - more than double the share of Asia Pacific, the next highest region.
The ITF warns that Gulf states, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and European states must do more to hold shipowners accountable and prevent abandonments in or near their ports. (....)