The maritime industry faces an urgent challenge: the increasing criminalisation and unjust treatment of seafarers.
Despite being vital to global trade, seafarers often face unjust criminal charges related to issues such as smuggling, cargo discrepancies or accidents, frequently without adequate legal protections or fair investigations.
In response, a landmark event convened by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), will bring together leaders from across the maritime industry to drive solutions that ensure fair treatment and protect the rights of seafarers worldwide.
The event, titled “Protecting seafarers against criminalisation: what more can be done?”, will take place on Monday 16 June from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM at IMO headquarters in London, with a live stream available via IMO’s YouTube channel.
The event will feature:
- Keynote address by Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of IMO, outlining international efforts to combat seafarer criminalisation
- First-hand testimony from Mithun Deshpande, a seafarer who personally experienced unjust criminal charges
- Panel discussions with leaders including ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton, former ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten, legal experts, insurers and representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, among others, tackling complex issues around fair treatment, supply chain accountability and the role of insurance in supporting seafarers under legal threat
The ongoing failure to protect seafarers from criminalisation and unfair treatment comes at a time when the maritime industry is facing a global recruitment and retention crisis.
This event marks a crucial step towards building consensus and actionable commitments to protect those who keep the world’s ships moving.
Ongoing cases of criminalisation
- Lastovo ferry tragedy: On 11 August 2024, a fatal accident occurred onboard the ferry Lastovo when the bow ramp unexpectedly fell, instantly killing three seafarers and seriously injuring a fourth. Despite investigations revealing deficiencies in the company's safety procedures, criminal investigations were initiated only against the master, first officer, and bosun, who now face up to 15 years' imprisonment. The company has not been held accountable.
- Phoenician M smuggling charges: In September 2024, a captain and mate were sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment in Turkey, despite no evidence of wrongdoing. The court did not immediately explain the decision to punish the captain and chief mate, stating that the sentence is based on ‘command responsibility’.
Notes
- To register attendance, please email:media@imo.org
- ITF Seafarer Criminalisation toolkit
- More information about IMO/ILO work on seafarer issues here.
- Event information: Protecting seafarers against criminalization: what more can be done?
