Crew Abandonment Crisis Hits Record High in 2025: 6,223 Seafarers Stranded

2025 has been declared the worst year ever for crew abandonment, with over 6,223 seafarers abandoned across 410 vessels globally—setting a new historical record. According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), this silent crisis is intensifying, driven largely by the so-called ‘shadow fleet’: vessels with opaque ownership structures, inadequate insurance, and flags of convenience (FOC). Of the 410 abandoned ships, 337 (82%) flew FOC flags—despite FOC vessels representing only about 30% of the world’s 100,000-ship commercial fleet. The ITF has campaigned against FOC for over 75 years, warning that such registries enable labor rights violations and illicit maritime activity. This year marks the sixth consecutive year of rising abandonment incidents—and the fourth straight year breaking records for total abandoned seafarers. Compared to 2024, ship abandonments rose 31% and affected seafarers increased 32%. Indian seafarers are the hardest hit, with over 1,000 abandoned—making them the most affected nationality. Early 2026 data already shows more than 6,000 cases, signaling further deterioration. Financially, $25.8 million in unpaid wages was owed to abandoned crews in 2025; the ITF recovered $16.5 million—highlighting both the scale of exploitation and limitations of current international protections. ITF data will be submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ahead of its Legal Committee session.