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The Rising Crisis of Abandonment in the Maritime Industry

Vihaan*, a marine engineer from Tamil Nadu in southern India, embarked on a journey in search of work, believing he would return home within a few months. His assignment involved transporting cargo across the Bay of Bengal to Bangladesh’s Kutubdia Island. However, after fulfilling his duties in March 2024, he found himself trapped aboard the rusting tugboat, Navimar 3, operated by Middle East Marine (MEM), which was detained by Bangladeshi authorities over unpaid fees.

For nearly a year, Vihaan has remained on the vessel, alleging that he has been compelled to work without compensation while ensuring the safety of the ship in challenging conditions. He reported that his passport and necessary documents have been confiscated by a local agent for the Dubai-based company, leaving him stranded without resources or a way to return home. He relies on donations from charities and unions for basic necessities like food and water.

With 25 years of maritime experience, Vihaan expressed his frustrations, sharing that he has received “nothing but empty promises” regarding his pay and eventual release. Communication with the company has become increasingly desperate, and as his family depends on his income, they face significant financial strain that threatens to annihilate decades of savings and jeopardizes his daughter’s educational aspirations. His wife’s health has also deteriorated, forcing her to delay medical treatments.

When interviewed, Vihaan appeared physically unwell, exhibiting symptoms such as coughing and a fever, attributed to the absence of medical care onboard. He continues to fulfill his duties, fearing for the safety of both the crew and the ship. According to the Maritime Labour Convention, abandonment is defined as the failure to pay contractual wages and provide necessary maintenance for a duration exceeding two months.

Vihaan’s plight is indicative of a broader issue plaguing the maritime industry. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has identified a significant rise in similar cases, reporting a 135% increase in seafarer abandonment incidents. According to their data, the number of abandoned vessels rose from 132 in 2023 to 312 in 2024, affecting over 3,000 seafarers, as detailed in a joint ITF/International Labour Organization (ILO) report.

The Middle East stands out with the highest number of abandoned vessels, 108, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recording 42 cases. Turkish waters also showed alarming figures with 25 cases in 2024. The increase in abandonments is a recurring issue, attributed in part to the prevalence of “flags of convenience,” which allow shipowners to register vessels in countries with lax labor laws, complicating legal recourse against them.

Food scarcity and unsanitary drinking water have become common struggles for many abandoned seafarers. In 2024 alone, wages amounting to $20 million (£16 million) went unpaid, with the ITF recovering approximately $10.4 million for affected workers. In one extreme case cited by the ITF, a distressed crew member was hospitalized following a suicide attempt driven by hopelessness.

Abandoned seafarers find themselves in a precarious situation: staying on board in poor conditions while awaiting their employers to fulfill wage obligations, as departing the vessel diminishes any hope of recovering unpaid salaries.

Unfortunately, the dangers of seafaring extend beyond financial exploitation. Recent conflicts have seen innocent seafarers caught in crossfire. A notable incident occurred in November 2023 when the crew of the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader was taken hostage by Yemen’s Houthis amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea. They were later released after a ceasefire was established.

Another alarming instance involved the 16-member crew of the Captain Tarek, who found themselves abandoned during military strikes in Yemen. The second officer, Satya Rahul, recounted the oppressive atmosphere aboard the ship during this tumultuous period, describing limited access to food and water, coupled with the absence of electricity.

Steve Trowsdale from the ITF remarked on the growing hazards that seafarers face, particularly with the ongoing conflicts that have led to increasing incidents of targeted attacks. Much of the advocacy and assistance for affected seafarers comes from organizations like the ITF, which have helped facilitate repatriations. In Vihaan’s case, consistent engagement with the ITF has brought him some relief, as he recently received a portion of his owed salary, yet he continues to await the remainder.

MEM’s modus operandi involves utilizing a “bareboat” charter system that complicates accountability, as the beneficial owner of the Navimar 3 operates through a complex ownership structure. In 2023, AD Ports Group, the entity with control of the vessel, reported profits exceeding 1.36 billion UAE dirhams (£300 million).

As discussions about maritime labor rights continue, experts stress the need for urgent reforms in the industry to prevent abandonment from becoming normalized. Mohamed Arrachedi, an ITF coordinator, condemned abandonment as tantamount to modern slavery, highlighting the ethical implications of current practices.

While Vihaan’s situation has slightly improved, the journey towards justice and fair treatment remains a long and daunting one. *Name changed to protect identity; many seafarers fear retribution from employers for speaking out.

Source
www.theguardian.com