Global Maritime Leaders Call For Stronger Protections Against Seafarer Criminalisation

Global maritime leaders reaffirm commitment to fair treatment, due process, and coordinated action to protect seafarers’ rights.

Seafarers detained in connection with their professional duties must be treated fairly and with dignity, with full respect for their human rights, high level participants from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have urged, following a joint event at IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

Participants urged commitment to due process and the fair treatment of seafarers to allow them to be swiftly repatriated to their families in accordance with the IMO/ILO Guidelines, acknowledging that unfair criminalization of seafarers continues to be of significant concern to seafarers and the wider industry, and reduces industry confidence.

“Global trade depends on the people – the seafarers – who are onboard ships day in, day out. The well-being of seafarers must remain a shared global priority. Stronger legal protections, increased awareness, and continued collaboration across the maritime community are essential,” said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.

“Ratification and enforcement of the MLC are crucial to protect seafarers against criminalization. Let’s continue to join forces to ensure that good practices on the implementation of the IMO/ILO guidelines are shared and prosecutors and judges are made aware of the particularities of the work of seafarers, essential to ensure their fair treatment. ILO remains committed to use all the mechanisms at its disposal to support seafarers faced with these dreadful situations.” said Ms Corinne Vargha, ILO Director, International Labour Standards Department.

“I look forward to carrying on the vital work that my predecessor Guy Platten has been leading and continuing to collaborate with our partners at the IMO, ILO and ITF – it is of the utmost importance. Strengthened cooperation across the maritime industry is vital to safeguard our seafarers against unfair criminalisation – seafarers should not be the victims of such actions and must be supported. This is for the betterment of the whole maritime sector and the movement of global trade,” said Thomas Kazakos, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping.

“Seafarer criminalisation is a growing crisis that demands urgent and coordinated action. We need to move beyond policy and into implementation because while the Guidelines exist, too many governments are still falling short. As industry leaders, we have a shared responsibility to push for enforcement, to collect the data, and to hold the industry accountable. This crisis demands joint, sustained action from all industry stakeholders to ensure seafarers are treated fairly and protected. The power to protect seafarers lies in our joint voice, with the IMO, ILO, ICS and ITF united – we can drive the change that seafarers need and deserve,” said Mr Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary.

The event heard case studies from people directly involved in cases including from the seafarer, port, supply chain and shipowner perspective.

IMO and ILO, with the support of industry partners in the ILO–IMO Tripartite Working Group, have adopted Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Connection with Alleged Crimes. The guidelines were approved by the IMO Legal Committee (LEG 112) in April. They cover issues related to due process, protection from arbitrary detention, coercion or intimidation, and ensuring that wages, medical care and repatriation rights should remain intact during any legal proceedings. They aim to improve coordination among countries, including port States, flag States, coastal States, States of which the seafarer is a national, as well as shipowners and seafarers.

Future actions

Participants urged further practical and concrete outcomes, including robust policies, targeted training programmes, enhanced enforcement and monitoring, and the sharing of best practices across jurisdictions.

Judiciary Engagement: Recognizing that many judicial systems may lack the expertise to handle maritime cases swiftly and fairly, participants encouraged the training of judicial authorities in maritime law and seafarers’ rights to ensure timely and just outcomes.

Stronger Industry Coordination: Emphasis was placed on greater coordination between Member States and industry to enable consistent implementation of legal protections and to support the rapid release and repatriation of detained seafarers.
Role of Insurers: Insurers, including P & I Clubs, were urged to provide legal support coverage and uphold seafarers’ welfare in cases of unfair treatment of seafarers.

Logistics and supply chain stability: Participants highlighted how seafarer criminalization disrupts crew changes, undermines maritime reliability, and creates reputational and operational risks throughout the global supply chain. Maritime and logistics companies were urged to:

• Support clear protection protocols;
• Advocate for consistent treatment across jurisdictions;
• Invest in awareness and welfare initiatives across shipping and port networks.

Addressing seafarer abandonment and detention-related costs: There was strong consensus that seafarers – key workers essential to global trade – must not bear the burden of legal uncertainty, detention, or abandonment due to systemic gaps or negligence.

Press Release

Source: Maritime Shipping News