International Bodies Address Rising Criminalization of Seafarers and Safety Concerns

London, July 2025 — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), alongside industry stakeholders, recently convened in London to address pressing challenges facing seafarers, including growing incidents of criminalization and ongoing safety risks.

Criminalization of Seafarers: A Call for Fair Treatment

A key focus was the conference “Protecting Seafarers Against Criminalization: What More Can Be Done?”, co-hosted by the IMO, ILO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The event emphasized the implementation of the newly adopted Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Connection with Alleged Crimes, developed through years of collaboration.

Discussions explored mechanisms to monitor criminalization cases, including tracking them similarly to abandonment cases and establishing independent investigations for alleged unfair treatment. While no consensus was reached due to logistical challenges, participants agreed on the need for sustained international cooperation to protect seafarers’ rights.

Maritime Safety Committee Tackles Seafarer Wellbeing

Following the conference, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee addressed critical safety issues, including:

• Autonomous Ships: Assessing immediate and long-term safety and training needs.
• Security Enhancements: Strengthening anti-piracy measures and cybersecurity protocols.
• Ship Design Improvements: Ensuring safer escape routes from machinery spaces and preventing falls from height.
• Human-Centered Design: Integrating seafarer wellbeing into vessel architecture.

A major concern was seafarer fatigue, revisiting unresolved discussions from the April 2025 ILO session. Fatigue, which is linked to excessive working hours, insufficient rest, and understaffing, remains a top priority for advocacy groups like the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Center for Mariner Advocacy (CMA), which vows to push for stronger international policies.

Moving Forward

The meetings underscored the maritime industry’s commitment to safeguarding seafarers, both legally and operationally. With criminalization cases on the rise and fatigue posing persistent risks, stakeholders must accelerate efforts to implement protective measures and ensure fair treatment for those at the heart of global trade.