Mon, 09 Feb 2026

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 The shadowy world of abandoned oil tankers

A growing number of tankers and other commercial vessels are being ditched by their owners.
The number of oil tankers and commercial ships being abandoned by their owners has risen significantly over the past year, affecting thousands of merchant sailors worldwide. A Russian senior deck officer, Ivan (not his real name), shared his experience from an abandoned oil tanker outside Chinese waters. He described a dire situation with a shortage of food and water, causing health problems and low morale among the crew. The ITF reported 410 ships were abandoned in 2025, up by almost a third from the previous year, with 6,223 sailors falling victim. Geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions contributed to this increase, as well as the growth of "shadow fleets" – ageing vessels with obscure ownership and poor safety records. These shadow fleet vessels often sail under flags of convenience (FOCs), which are countries with limited regulatory oversight, allowing owners to bypass laws and regulations at home. FOCs have been used by various nations, including Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands, but Gambia has recently emerged as a significant player in this practice. In 2025, 82% of abandoned ships were registered under FOCs, with many being uninsured or operationally hazardous. The ITF claims that recovering wages for sailors is a challenging task due to the complexity of these cases and the lack of cooperation from FOC states. The ITF recovered nearly two-thirds of owed wages in 2025, but an estimated $9.3 million remained unpaid. Indian sailors were the most affected nationality, with over 1,125 sailors left stranded without pay or support. Experts point to a lack of accountability and responsibility among FOC states towards their merchant fleets and crews. They emphasize the need for international cooperation to protect seafarers from the risks associated with maritime service. Ivan's experience has left him with a newfound awareness about his rights as a sailor, including checking ship conditions and payment records before joining any vessel.
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