The Shadowy World of Abandoned Oil Tankers
The number of abandoned oil tankers and other commercial ships has surged dramatically in recent years, raising urgent questions about the factors driving this alarming increase and its impact on the crew members stuck aboard these vessels.
Rising Numbers of Abandoned Oil Tankers
Over the past year, the global maritime landscape has witnessed a troubling rise in the abandonment of oil tankers:
– In 2016, only 20 ships were abandoned worldwide.
– By 2025, that number skyrocketed to 410, affecting 6,223 merchant seamen.
– Both figures represented an almost 30% increase from 2024.
The rise in abandoned oil tankers has many causes. Geopolitical instability, marked by ongoing conflicts and the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, has severely disrupted supply chains and resulted in volatile freight costs. Many ship operators now struggle to remain financially viable.
Understanding the Human Impact
Ivan (a pseudonym), a senior deck officer on an abandoned oil tanker anchored outside China, shared his haunting experience:
– We had a shortage of meat, grain, fish—basic essentials, he reported.
– It’s affected our health and our operational atmosphere.
– The ship, laden with approximately 750,000 barrels of Russian crude oil valued at around $50 million (£37 million), was reported abandoned by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) after the crew went unpaid for months.
Although the ITF has managed to secure payment for the crew up to December and arranged for essential supplies, many, including Ivan, remain on board, grappling with dire living conditions.
Factors Contributing to Abandonment
Several factors are contributing to the rise of abandoned oil tankers globally:
– Geopolitical Tensions: Countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela are circumventing Western sanctions, leading to the emergence of shadow fleets. These vessels are often old, poorly maintained, and registered under flags of convenience (FOCs) that impose minimal regulatory oversight.
– Growing Shadow Fleets: The average FOC vessel has been used for more than a century to evade laws. In 2025, FOC ships accounted for 82% of total ship abandonments, with many operating under dubious ownership structures.
– Financial Struggles: The global shipping industry has faced increased financial pressure, making it difficult for operators to maintain their fleet and meet workers’ pay.
The Need for Better Maritime Regulations
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) defines abandonment as the failure of a shipowner to cover the cost of a seafarer’s repatriation or contractual wages for at least two months. Alarmingly, abandoned crews worldwide were owed a total of $25.8 million last year, with the ITF recovering nearly $16.5 million of that amount.
Protecting Vulnerable Seafarers
The consequences of this crisis extend beyond financial implications:
– National Awareness: Indian sailors are the most affected, making up 18% of abandonment cases. In response, the Indian government has blacklisted 86 foreign vessels associated with abandonment and rights violations.
– Call for Accountability: Mark Dickinson from Nautilus International criticizes FOC states for neglecting their responsibilities. A genuine connection between shipowners and their flags is essential, as mandated by international maritime law, but no universally accepted definition exists.
Ivan, whose ship was falsely registered under a Gambian flag, plans to be more cautious in the future. I’ll thoroughly discuss the vessel’s condition and payment terms before signing contracts, he stated.
Conclusion
As the shadowy world of abandoned oil tankers continues to grow, the need for greater international cooperation has never been clearer. By working together, we can develop better regulations and protect seafarers from the inherent risks of maritime service. The fate of individuals like Ivan depends on our collective ability to address these pressing issues and ensure safer conditions at sea.