According to reports from the United Nations’ labor and maritime organizations, an increasing number of ships are being abandoned by their owners worldwide, resulting in thousands of seafarers remaining stuck on board without salaries or the means to return home.
The situation has become dire, with cases of abandonment doubling over the last three years, affecting over 3,000 crew members across approximately 230 vessels in 2024. This analysis is based on data released by the United Nations and indicates that last year’s numbers may continue to escalate, given that it can take time for distressed workers to file complaints regarding their conditions.
International standards stipulate that workers are classified as abandoned if ship owners neglect to pay them for two or more months, fail to provide essential supplies, or cease communication with the crew. “The only leverage seafarers have sometimes is to stay on a vessel until they get paid,” noted a ship inspector with the International Transport Workers’ Federation. This organization advocates for the rights of maritime workers.
This issue, often invisible from the shore, disproportionately affects smaller shipping companies that operate less lucrative trade routes. Many of the reported cases involve crews on older, dilapidated ships. The countries with the highest reports of abandonment last year included the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
In some of the most severe situations, entire crews have suffered for weeks without access to adequate food or fresh water, often living under conditions of complete darkness without electricity. Some workers remain stranded on board for years. One such case is that of Abdul Nasser Saleh, who has previously been featured in stories discussing ship abandonment at U.S. ports and beyond.
Reports indicate that shipowners frequently stop paying their crews when operational costs rise significantly or when business declines. Owners often leave ships anchored in ports where crews may lack the necessary immigration paperwork to disembark, or at locations accessible only by boat. The number of cases of abandonment in 2024 has surpassed the previous record set in 2023.
Governments and organizations, including those represented by Meldrum, can report instances of abandoned ships to the U.N., which verifies the details and petitions the rightful authorities and ship owners to resolve the issues. Meldrum has recently been working to secure basic necessities like food, fuel, and overdue wages for crews aboard three cargo ships operated by a company called Friends Shipping. One ship, the Sister 12, which is presently off the coast of Yemen, has allegedly kept its crew confined for over a year without any pay.
“They’re essentially imprisoned on these vessels,” Meldrum expressed, adding that the situation goes well beyond mere exploitation. A Syrian sailor from the Sister 12 communicated through WhatsApp, detailing distressing conditions such as an infestation of insects, reliance on seawater for bathing, and the presence of rusty fixtures. He shared that the ship was devoid of food and clean water, stating, “There is no food on the ship, there is no water, there is no life.”
Friends Shipping, which operates out of Turkey and Dubai, has a troubling pattern regarding ship abandonments. Out of the 22 vessels listed on its website, 19 have been reported in cases of abandonment, although some may have been sold since then. The company claims, “We Make the World Smaller.”
Meldrum pointed out that Friends Shipping tends to hire workers who are not aware of the company’s tarnished reputation, subsequently leading them into perilous situations. Once stranded, many crew members are eager to leave—even without receiving pay—whenever an opportunity arises. Meldrum asserted that new crewmembers are simply hired once the previous ones are gone, and the cycle continues.
Friends Shipping has not addressed inquiries regarding the abandonment of their fleet or the welfare of their crew members. A person responding to messages at the company’s WhatsApp number in Turkey claimed that provisions were being supplied to the crew of the Sister 12 and assured that all workers would soon be disembarked, though no further specifics were provided.
Despite international conventions meant to uphold labor rights, few options exist to hold ship owners accountable, particularly in an industry where numerous vessels are registered under obscure shell companies and operate under flags unrelated to their ownership. Flag registries are expected to act promptly to aid repatriate seafarers and ensure that they receive food and medical assistance, as advised by U.N. guidelines. An amendment to the Maritime Labor Convention, ratified by over 90 nations a decade ago, also mandates that flag states take accountability for the vessels they register, requiring insurance to cover multiple months of wages in the event of financial trouble.
Investigations have revealed that many flag states do not take necessary action. Countries like Panama, Palau, and Tanzania have each registered numerous ships that were reported abandoned in 2024.
The ongoing rise in abandonment cases could indicate that seafarers are becoming more inclined to report mistreatment from their employers; however, the overall numbers likely do not reflect the full extent of worker exploitation at sea. The spikes in reported cases began during the global pandemic and have persisted as shipowners grapple with inflation and rising costs. The International Transport Workers’ Federation reported that it aided workers in recovering over $10 million in unpaid wages last year alone. Inspectors continue to advocate for another $10 million in balances that they assert is owed.
