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What is abandonment?

In the maritime industry, seafarer abandonment occurs when shipowners or fishing vessel owners leave their crew stranded, often due to financial difficulties or because the cost of maintaining the vessel outweighs its value. Abandonment is characterized by the failure to:

1. Pay for the seafarer's return home; or

2. Provide the seafarer without essential support and care; or

3. Pay the seafarer's wages for at least two months.

What is the ILO/IMO Joint Database?

The joint database, hosted by the ILO, tracks reported incidents of seafarer abandonment, providing critical information on past and current cases. This includes abandoned fishers and seafarers, helping to facilitate coordinated responses from authorities, international organizations, and the maritime community. The database was established with the support of the International Ship Suppliers & Services Association, following a 2004 initiative by the Joint IMO/ILO Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Liability and Compensation for Death, Injury, and Abandonment of Seafarers.
In 2014, the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) was amended to require shipowners to hold compulsory insurance to cover abandonment, ensuring seafarers have access to financial support if they are abandoned.

How are the abandonment cases categorized?

To clearly identify the status of each reported case, the database categorizes cases using a colour-coded system:
• Unresolved Cases: Abandonment issues are ongoing.
• Resolved Cases: The crew has been repatriated, and all wages and entitlements have been paid.
• Disputed Cases: There is uncertainty or disagreement over the resolution status.
• Inactive Cases: These cases are no longer active but remain unresolved.

How can an abandonment case be reported?

Governments and relevant organizations can report new abandonment cases using the provided PDF template. Submit the completed form to abandoned@ilo.org.
Reports can only be submitted by:
• Flag States
• Port States
• Labour-sending States
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with consultative or observer status at the IMO or ILO
Seafarers or fishers seeking assistance in reporting abandonment should consult their trade union, consulate, or flag State. Advice may be sought through the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) or International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), (see the ‘Related Links’ section for more details).

Why Report an Abandonment Case?

Timely reporting helps:
• Alert relevant authorities early;
• Prevent worsening of abandonment situations;
• Facilitate quick and effective resolutions for seafarers.
Under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended, (MLC, 2006), abandoned seafarers are entitled to up to four months of unpaid wages and other contractual entitlements through compulsory insurance provided by shipowners.

Disclaimer

This database follows the procedures established by the Joint ILO/IMO Ad Hoc Expert Working Group on Liability and Compensation Regarding Claims for Death, Personal Injury and Abandonment of Seafarers. More information on these procedures is available here.
The accuracy of the information contained in this database is the sole responsibility of the reporting organizations.
The content of the database is limited to cases of abandonment reported after 1 January 2004. In case no date of abandonment has been reported, the date of notification of the reporting organization is displayed as date of abandonment.
The designations employed in this database, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.