The International Maritime Organization Legal Committee has renewed its focus on protecting seafarers following another record year for abandonment cases and growing concern over the criminalisation of crews caught up in organised crime and regional conflicts
Abandonment on the rise
Meeting for its 113th session from 13–17 April 2026, the IMO Legal Committee heard that 409 new seafarer abandonment cases were reported during 2025, affecting 6,264 seafarers on 364 vessels – the highest annual total ever recorded. In 185 cases, ships did not have the mandatory financial security required under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
With a further 103 cases already recorded during the first quarter of 2026, delegates warned that this year's figures are on course to exceed the previous record.
The Committee also expressed concern about vessels operating under fraudulent or unknown flags and the increasing number sailing without valid financial security certificates. It agreed to ask the Joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group to develop a standard operating procedure for responding to abandonment cases, including clear timelines for intervention, while improvements to the joint ILO/IMO database will help verify financial security documentation more effectively.
Further work will also continue on tackling fraudulent ship registration and unlawful shipping operations involving substandard vessels.
Fair treatment
Protecting seafarers facing detention was another major theme. Considering a joint submission from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Committee supported wider implementation of the 2024 IMO/ILO Guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes. Delegates also backed improved cooperation between flag, port and seafarer nationality States, together with additional training for prosecutors, police, immigration authorities and maritime administrations.
This discussion was prompted, in part, by the growing threat posed by transnational organised crime, noting that criminal groups are increasingly placing illicit cargo onboard vessels without the knowledge of crews, exposing innocent seafarers to arrest and prosecution. An intersessional correspondence group will now examine measures to strengthen legal protections and improve international cooperation.
The Committee also welcomed the milestone ratification of the 2010 HNS Protocol, which is expected to enter into force in November 2027, establishing a stronger international compensation regime for damage involving hazardous and noxious substances carried by sea.
For Nautilus members, the discussions reflect growing international recognition that stronger legal protections, better enforcement and closer cooperation between governments are essential to safeguarding seafarers' rights and welfare in an increasingly complex operating environment.
Nautilus’ Legal Director, Charles Boyle said: ‘The IMO Legal Committee continues to oversee a wide range of issues that are relevant to our members, and some of its work is done in collaboration with the ILO. The increasing numbers of seafarer abandonment cases are alarming, particularly in view of the many cases of non-compliance with MLC financial security measures. It is hoped that these UN agencies can work together to improve this situation as a matter of urgency.’
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