IMO and ILO have adopted new guidance on abandoned crews

A tripartite working group has adopted guidance to help address the problem of abandoned crews.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) held a meeting of a joint tripartite working group in Geneva. During the meeting, the guidelines for actions regarding abandoned crews were adopted, the IMO website reported.

The number of such cases has increased significantly. If in 2011-2016 there were less than 20 such cases per year, then in 2019 there were already 40, in 2020 – 85, in 2021 – 95, and this year – 114 by mid-December.

The guidelines are intended to coordinate actions between States of which seafarers are nationals or residents, flag and port States, and those States in which crewing companies operate. It also sets out measures to be taken by States in the event that the shipowner is unable to fulfill its obligations to arrange and pay the costs of repatriation of seafarers, payment of arrears of wages and other contractual payments, and provision of the needs of the crew, including medical service.

“In particular, States should develop, in cooperation with seafarers’ and shipowners’ associations, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that clearly define the duties and responsibilities of the competent authority and the roles of various national organizations, including shipping agencies, seafarers’ and shipowners’ organizations , organizations engaged in the employment of seafarers, etc.,” says the IMO website.