A groundbreaking report by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust (ITFST) and the World Maritime University (WMU) highlights an increasingly critical issue: the near extinction of shore leaves for seafarers globally.
Based on data collected from 5,879 seafarers through the ITFST’s Shore Leave Survey, the study unveils a disheartening reality: over 25% of seafarers are denied any shore leave during their contracts, while a third experience only one or two brief outings during an average 6.6-month period at sea.
Initiated in mid-2024 to address mounting concerns about the diminishing accessibility of shore leave, the ITFST’s survey, analyzed in partnership with WMU researchers, sought to shed light on the frequency, duration, and underlying challenges impacting shore leave. The resulting report reveals a deeply troubling picture of seafarer isolation and deprivation.
Officers working on offshore vessels and tankers face particularly severe restrictions. Alarmingly, 47% of seafarers who are granted shore leave spend fewer than three hours ashore, and a staggering 93.5% return to their vessels in less than six hours. These limitations have profound consequences for their overall well-being.
Personal testimonies featured in the report paint a vivid picture of the emotional strain caused by this deprivation. After spending 4.5 months aboard a tanker, a Turkish deck officer described the relentless demands of his watch schedule: “Our shore leave depends on our port watch schedule and chief officers’ approach. While working a 6 on, 6 off watch, it’s nearly impossible to go ashore without asking another officer to cover your duties temporarily. Once you return, a night watch awaits, leaving you drained. It’s tough to cope.”
The systemic barriers to shore leave are multifaceted: chronic understaffing, excessive workloads, escalating inspections, stringent port security protocols, short port stays driven by operational pressures, insufficient shore-based amenities, and prohibitive transportation costs. Together, these factors transform shore leave—a fundamental right for seafarers—into an unattainable luxury at many ports.
An Indian deck officer with 18 years of industry experience voiced his frustrations: “Over the years, ports have developed ways to deny shore leave outright or impose exorbitant charges that deter the crew from going ashore. Workloads and commercial pressures further compound the problem. In many cases, oil and chemical refineries are far from cities, leaving no nearby places to relax, eat, or shop. Some ports require the use of expensive boats for shore leave, making the option unaffordable. After long periods at sea, we’re exhausted—it’s our right to have shore leave.”
Katie Higginbottom, Head of ITF Seafarers’ Trust, stressed the urgency of this crisis: “This survey confirms our fears. Seafarers are being denied shore leave because it hasn’t been recognized as essential for their well-being and vessel safety. The findings set a stark scene and must prompt discussions and acknowledgment that seafarers deserve breaks from the vessel. Action is needed to preserve shore leave.”
The report concludes with a call to action: reversing this alarming trend demands a united effort from flag states, port states, shipping companies, agents, and seafarers. Without immediate action, the current trajectory could lead to the total eradication of shore leave, compounding the immense pressures faced by seafarers. Protecting this vital aspect of maritime life is imperative.
