**Why India Tops the List of Abandoned Sailors**
The plight of sailors stranded on abandoned vessels is a growing concern in the maritime industry, with India notably leading in cases of abandoned mariners. As reported by BBC, one such example is that of Manas Kumar*, an Indian seaman who has been trapped on a cargo ship, the Anka, in the waters of Ukraine since April. His story sheds light on a much larger issue that affects countless Indian nationals working in the global shipping sector.
Manas was part of a crew of fourteen, transporting popcorn to Turkey from Moldova when their vessel was seized on April 18 while navigating the Danube River. Ukrainian authorities assert that the Anka was linked to Russia’s “shadow” fleet, which allegedly facilitates the trade of “looted” Ukrainian grain. The irony lies in the fact that Kumar and his fellow crew members were unaware of the ship’s dubious affiliations when they signed on. The crew consisted of six Indians, two Azerbaijanis, and six Egyptians and, despite being informed by the Ukrainian authorities that they were not under investigation and could leave, they have been reluctant to do so. Leaving the ship would mean forfeiting their salaries, which total more than $102,000 by June when totaled across the crew, according to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Abandonment in the maritime context is defined as a scenario in which shipowners sever ties with their crew members, consequently denying them repatriation, regular provisions, and salaries. According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), in 2024 there were 3,133 abandoned sailors aboard 312 ships worldwide, with 899 of them being Indian. The reasons for this alarming statistic are multifaceted and deeply entrenched in the economics of the shipping industry.
One of the primary causes of abandonment is the widespread practice of employing flags of convenience—where ships are registered in countries with lax regulation concerning safety and crew welfare. This system obscures the identity of true shipowners and complicates accountability, making it easier for unscrupulous operators to abandon vessels and their crews. In fact, nearly 90% of abandoned vessels in 2024 were found to sail under such flags.
The situation is exacerbated by the globalized nature of the shipping industry, where the owners, managers, and crews frequently hail from different nations. For instance, Captain Amitabh Chaudhary* faced abandonment in January 2025 when complications arose aboard the Tanzania-flagged Stratos, which suffered a grounded incident near Saudi Arabia. After months of waiting for assistance, the crew was ultimately left without compensation, as the owners cited the situation’s financial impact as a reason for withholding salaries.
The Indian Directorate General (DG) of Shipping, which oversees maritime regulations, has come under scrutiny for its lax enforcement of laws meant to protect seafarers. Yet, some industry representatives argue that crew members also bear some responsibility. As Sushil Deorukhkar, among the ITF representatives dedicated to sailor welfare, puts it, crew members should be diligent during the hiring process to identify discrepancies in their contracts.
Instances of abandonment extend to Indian-owned vessels operating in national waters as well. Take Captain Prabjeet Singh, who worked aboard the Nirvana, another Indian-owned oil tanker, which faced disputes between its previous and new owners, ultimately leading to a court order for seizure due to unpaid wages.
The consequences of abandonment are dire, with stranded sailors often battling inadequate provisions, fear, and uncertainty about their futures. Many compromising scenarios force crew members to endure significant hardships, including starvation and lack of essential supplies, as highlighted by Captain Chaudhary and others who have faced similar predicaments.
The urgent need for reforms in maritime laws and stricter enforcement mechanisms cannot be overstated if we wish to alleviate the tragic phenomenon of abandoned seafarers. Working sailors simply want the ability to do their jobs, get paid, and return home, far removed from the harsh realities they presently face at sea.
[*Some names have been changed to protect identity.]
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