The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has Reported 'a worrying increase' in the number of ships abandoned in 2023 as 132 cases were reported in the year, i.e. 13 more than in 2022 (+10.9%). The The union specified that in the 129 cases of abandonment of ships reported to the ITF, the wages due to seafarers embarked on these units exceed $12.1 million, and that so far the syndicate received more than $10.9 million in wages due to seafarers on 60 of these vessels.

In addition, the International Transport Workers' Union announced that it was contacted during 2023 by 1,676 seafarers of abandoned ships and pointed out that the largest share of abandoned seafarers is that of Indian nationality, with over 400 reported cases.

"The continuous increase in the number of abandoned seafarers - complained Steve Trowsdale, coordinator of the inspectorate of the FTT - is unacceptable. It is a consequence of a A sector in which seafarers can be a disposable commodity. Seafarers and their families pay the highest price for the greed and non-compliance of shipowners, enduring the inhumane consequences of a system that undermines their their dignity and fundamental human rights. The ITF inspectors do an incredible job of asking to those shipowners who try to get away with dealing with the seafarers as a kind of modern-day slaves."