Indian Seafarers Hit Hardest In 2025’s Record Of Seafarers Abandonment Crisis

By Roland Ekama

Indian seafarers faced unprecedented abandonment in 2025, topping the list with 1,125 cases against any other nationality—out of 6,223 seafarers left stranded across 410 ships worldwide, according to International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) data.

This marked shipping’s worst year on record, with a 32% surge in abandonments from 2024 and ship cases up 31%.

The crisis left seafarers, especially Indians, owed USD25.8 million in total, with ITF recovering USD16.5 million. Indian seafarers topped the list again after 2024, prompting India’s government to announce blacklisting of repeat-offender ships at year’s end. Filipinos followed with 539 cases, Syrians with 309.

Flags of Convenience (FOCs) dominated, flagging 82% of abandoned vessels (337 of 410), led by Panama (68 cases). The Middle East saw the most incidents, followed by Europe; Türkiye (61 ships) and UAE (54) led countries.ITF Calls for Action to Protect Indian and Global Seafarers”It’s a disgrace,” said ITF Seafarers’ Section Chair David Heindel.

“Seafarers face horrific rights violations daily for companies’ quick profits. The industry must unite to end this.”ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton added: “2025 was the worst year yet.

These workers keep our economy moving but are left desperate. Solutions demand accountability—empower the IMO to eradicate abandonment.”ITF demands:Flag States log beneficial owners with contacts for registration.National blacklisting of repeat offenders, as India is doing.Probes into FOCs, like the ongoing US investigation.

Abandonment, per IMO criteria, includes failing repatriation, support, or wages for 2+ months. ITF reported 98% of 2025’s 410 cases.

Case Study: Indian Seafarers Stranded on Eleen Armonia Off Nigeria Four Indian seafarers, including one who spoke anonymously to ITF, remain abandoned on the Eleen Armonia since June 2025—unpaid and unrepatriated despite contract expirations.

ITF filed it as abandoned in August.“Every month we ask for wages and to go home, but they don’t care,” the seafarer said. “False promises—10 times they said we could leave.

The insurer promised help after two months’ unpaid wages, but waits for company permission. I can’t sleep from stress; I missed Christmas, New Year, and family events with my new daughter. It’s shameful.”Eleen Marine links to Slovenia’s sham “International Seafarers’ Union” (ISU), tied to anti-union firm Lanibra, violating laws. Their agreements expired in June.