Shipping organisations increasingly concerned about seafarer safety

7 February 2025

For immediate release 

The chairpersons of the world’s biggest shipping industry organisations gathered on 6 February in Athens to discuss topics including greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and the impact of geopolitics on shipping. By far the most important topic on the agenda was how the industry, and the international community, can help limit and put an end to a rise in unjust treatment and criminalisation of its seafarers.

At the meeting, chaired by BIMCO President Nikolaus H Schües, the Round Table of International Shipping Associations - which consists of BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO - unanimously agreed that the awareness of seafarer safety, rights and treatment must be increased outside of the shipping industry.

“Throughout 2024 we have witnessed a rise in the number of kidnappings and cases of rogue detention and imprisonment of our seafarers. This is devastating and highly concerning. Let’s not forget that seafarers facilitate the transport of over 80 pct of world trade. Despite the challenges they face, they continue to work to the highest professional standards, and we will work collectively towards raising awareness about seafarers lacking some of the fundamental rights that some other keyworkers enjoy,” the Round Table chairpersons Nikolaus H Schües of BIMCO, Mr John Xylas of INTERCARGO, Emanuele Grimaldi of the ICS and Rolf Westfal-Larsen Jr. of INTERTANKO, said.

A recent report from the International Maritime Bureau has concluded that 2024 saw a decline in piracy but a rise in the number of seafarers taken hostage. According to the report, 126 seafarers were kidnapped last year against 73 in 2023 and 41 in 2022.

Meanwhile, reliable data is lacking when it comes to criminalisation and rogue detention and imprisonment of seafarers when drugs are found on board a ship. Recently reported cases in some parts of the world, however, are testament to innocent seafarers being jailed over alleged drug offences despite lack of sufficient evidence.

The lack of reliable data is a problem that the Round Table member organisations will seek to address to gain a comprehensive overview of the extent of the problem.

“Seafarers should not risk jail sentences, kidnappings or attacks while performing their essential duties. Two weeks ago, we heard the news that the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader had been released after being kidnapped at gunpoint and held in captivity for over 430 days by the Houthis. Unjustified deprivation of liberty and attacks on innocent seafarers are attacks on individuals, the shipping industry, supply chains and world trade. We will continue to raise awareness of the rights and treatment of our seafarers,” the chairpersons said.

 

For additional information please contact:  

BIMCO:
Mette Kronholm Frænde
Head of External Communications
M: +45 2253 0215
E: mkf@bimco.org 

ICS:
Stuart Neil
Director of Strategy and Communications
T: +44 (0) 20 7090 1460, M: +44 (0)7494 170 061
E: stuart.neil@ics-shipping.org

INTERTANKO:
Jon Chaplin
External Relations Manager
T: +44 (0) 20 7977 7018, M: +44 (0) 7701 394 074
E: jon.chaplin@intertanko.com

INTERCARGO:
Hayden Walmsley, Account Manager, Navigate PR
Tel: +44 (0) 7742381586
Email: hwalmsley@navigatepr.com 
www.navigatepr.com

  

About BIMCO 
BIMCO is the world's largest international shipping association, with over 2,000 members in more than 130 countries, representing 60% of the world’s tonnage. Our global membership includes ship owners, operators, managers, brokers, and agents. BIMCO is a non-profit organisation. www.bimco.org

About INTERTANKO
INTERTANKO, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, has been the voice of independent tanker owners since 1970, ensuring that the liquid energy that keeps the world turning is shipped safely, responsibly and competitively. As of January 2025, the organisation has 178 Members, whose combined fleet comprises over 3,800 tankers totalling over 355 million dwt. INTERTANKO’s Associate Membership stands at some 220 companies and organisations related to the tanker industry. www.intertanko.com   

About ICS
ICS is the global trade association for shipowners and operators, representing the world’s national shipowner associations and over 80 % of the world merchant fleet. ICS has members from around 40 countries. Our membership comprises national shipowners’ associations, through which structure ICS uniquely and legitimately speaks for and represents the significant majority of international shipping. www.ics-shipping.org

About INTERCARGO
International shipping is vital for the global economy and prosperity as it transports approximately 90% of world trade. The dry bulk sector is the largest shipping sector in terms of number of ships and deadweight. Dry bulk carriers account for 43% of the world fleet (in tonnage) and carry an estimated 55% of the global transport work. Please view INTERCARGO’s messaging via ESG here: https://www.intercargo.org/esg-review-2024/

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) unites and promotes quality dry bulk shipping, bringing together more than 260 forward thinking companies from 30 countries. INTERCARGO convened for the first time in 1980 in London and has been participating with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) since 1993. INTERCARGO provides the forum where dry bulk shipowners, managers and operators are informed about, discuss, and share concerns on key topics and regulatory challenges, especially in relation to safety, security, the environment, and operational excellence. The Association promotes its members’ positions to IMO, as well as to other shipping and international industry fora, having free and fair competition as a principle. More at www.intercargo.org/

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