India has emerged as the country with the highest number of abandoned seafarers globally, as cases of crew desertion at sea reached alarming levels in 2024. According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), 899 Indian sailors were stranded on vessels without pay or basic provisions, out of a record 3,133 abandoned seafarers worldwide. This marks an 87 percent increase from 2023, when 401 Indian seafarers were affected.
The total number of abandoned vessels globally also rose sharply, from 132 in 2023 to 312 in 2024. The rise is attributed to shipowners exploiting loopholes in maritime governance, including the widespread use of flags of convenience. About 81 percent of the vessels involved were registered under such flags, including Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, where enforcement of labor laws is weak.
Indian seafarers are particularly vulnerable due to opaque recruitment practices. Many are hired through manning agencies that charge heavy fees, leaving workers indebted and with limited recourse once on board. When shipowners default, sailors are often left stranded in foreign waters without wages, legal protection, or timely repatriation.
One such case is that of “Vihaan,” a marine engineer from Tamil Nadu, who has been stranded on the tug "Navimar 3" near Bangladesh since March 2024. His wages remain unpaid, and his travel documents are withheld, leaving him unable to return home. Aid organizations and unions have provided limited assistance, but his case illustrates the deep human toll of abandonment.
The ITF described the situation as a “cancer of the industry,” estimating that unpaid wages for abandoned crews in 2024 totaled around USD 20 million. While the ITF managed to recover about half of that amount, many families continue to suffer severe financial strain. The psychological toll is also immense, with reports of anxiety, depression, and even suicide attempts among stranded seafarers.
Experts say systemic failures are driving the crisis. The Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 protects seafarers, but enforcement remains inconsistent across jurisdictions. Complex corporate structures and offshore ship registrations make it difficult to hold owners accountable.
Observers are urging stronger regulation, stricter monitoring of manning agencies, and coordinated international action. Advocates also stress that India must take a more proactive role in protecting its seafarers, including expediting repatriation and ensuring greater transparency in employment contracts.
With abandonment cases more than doubling in a year, the crisis highlights a troubling breakdown in global maritime labor protections. Unless stronger safeguards are put in place, experts warn that thousands more seafarers, especially from India, risk being left stranded on the world’s oceans.