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The United Nations has reported an increase in the number of crew members abandoned by shipowners around the world, leaving sailors without pay for months or even years. Last year, over 2,000 seafarers on 150 ships were abandoned, and the problem is only getting worse. The rise in cases is attributed to better reporting efforts and the impact of the global pandemic. The Maritime Labor Convention requires flag states to step in when shipowners abandon crews, but the rules aren't uniformly followed. Countries with large ship registries, such as Panama, Tanzania, Palau, and Togo, are responsible for a significant number of abandoned ships. The uneven regulations also influence the ports where ships are abandoned most often. Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries with the most cases of abandonment. Despite these issues, there are few ways to enforce the standards. The AP's global investigative team can be contacted for more information.
