Seafarers face serious difficulties in obtaining shore leave, new report finds
2.04.2025 - 16:03
ITF Seafarers’ Trust and World Maritime University study highlights global challenges to seafarers’ access to shore leave.
A new report by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust (ITFST) and the World Maritime University (WMU) highlights a significant problem with seafarers’ limited access to shore leave, the Splash reports.
The survey, which was launched in mid-2024, aimed to assess the challenges seafarers face in accessing shore leave and identify the main barriers to its implementation.
The survey, which surveyed 5,879 seafarers, found that more than a quarter of respondents had not received any shore leave at all, and a third had only gone ashore once or twice during their contract, which averages 6.6 months.
Regarding the duration of shore leave, of those who were able to leave the ship, 47% spent less than three hours ashore, and a total of 93.5% of seafarers were unable to spend more than six hours ashore.
The report highlights that there are a number of barriers to accessing shore leave, including minimum crewing, high workloads, increased inspections, security issues in ports, and a lack of effective means of transport to move seafarers.
“This survey confirms our concerns. Seafarers are not receiving shore leave because it is not a priority for the well-being of the crew and the safety of the ship,” said ITF Seafarers’ Trust Chair Katie Higginbottom. “We hope the findings will contribute to the discussion and recognition that seafarers deserve time off from ship. Action needs to be taken to ensure that shore leave is maintained.”
The report clearly states that the problem of shore leave is systemic and multifaceted. The authors of the report call on all stakeholders – from flag States to port States, shipping agents and seafarers themselves – to work together to ensure the support and development of this important element of life at sea.
As reported by USM the day before, a seafarer from Izmail went missing in the port of Constanta. The search has been ongoing for almost a month.
