The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted updated guidelines to protect seafarers from unfair treatment when detained in foreign jurisdictions linked to alleged crimes committed at sea.
The guidelines, adopted by the IMO’s Legal Committee during its meeting in London from March 24-28, aim to safeguard seafarers’ rights and ensure they are treated with fairness and dignity, regardless of location in the world.
“Unfortunately, incidents of unjust treatment of seafarers are on the rise, posing a significant challenge to the sustainability of shipping,” said IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez. “These cases not only undermine seafarers’ morale but also discourage young talent from pursuing a career at sea.”
Central to the guideline reforms relate to due process, protection from arbitrary detention, coercion or intimidation, and ensuring that wages, medical care and repatriation rights remain intact during any legal proceedings. The guidelines aim to improve coordination among countries, including port states, flag states, coastal states, states of which the seafarer is a national, shipowners, as well as seafarers.
The text was progressed and first adopted in December 2024 by a joint tripartite working group with the International Labour Organization (ILO), which includes representation from governments, shipowners and seafarers.
According to the IMO/ILO joint database, 310 new seafarer abandonment cases were reported in 2024 – more than double the 142 cases recorded in 2023. The trend appears to be continuing in 2025, with 63 cases already reported in the first two months.
The committee approved the proposition of conducting a regulatory scoping exercise to review IMO conventions and other tools available to member states, with the aim of developing actions to prevent unlawful operations, including substandard shipping.
Over the next year, the legal committee will also be working on the development of guidelines or best practices for the registration of ships for the benefit of safety, protection of the marine environment and the well-being of seafarers; suitability of IMO liability and compensation regimes with respect to alternative fuels; and measures to address maritime security threats.
In January 2025, the IMO opened its regional office for the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region in Egypt.
