The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says 2024 was the worst year on record for seafarer abandonment.
The union said new data shows that the issue is “spiralling out of control”, increasing by 87%: 3,133 seafarers were abandoned by shipowners last year compared with 1,676 in 2023.
Steve Trowsdale, ITF global inspectorate coordinator, said: “It’s an absolute disgrace that unscrupulous shipowners are abandoning so many crews with impunity by governments and international regulators.
