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Seafarers move the world, sustaining our economies and communities – but they routinely face exploitation. The ITF fights for seafarers’ rights.

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YOUR RIGHTS
As a seafarer you have rights - employment rights, legal rights, trade union rights and human rights. Ensure you know your rights and what to do when things go wrong.
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WOMEN AT SEA
Women have proven that working at sea can be a positive and rewarding career. Find out more about women-centred sources of support and information
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MANNING AGENTS
Let us guide you through the recruitment process. Advice on finding an agent, avoiding scams and ensuring you have the right contract.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING
Stay healthy and happy at sea. Learn about wellbeing illness and disease. 
Find the nearest welfare centre to your port.
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DIRECTORIES
ABANDONMENT LIST
Every year, the ITF and its affiliates deal with a number of cases of ‘abandonment’, where a shipowner ‘abandons’ their responsibilities for the ship and its crew. View the current reported cases.
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CRIMINALISATION LIST
Criminalisation is one of the most serious problems facing seafarers today. When there has been a maritime accident seafarers have often been detained and denied access to normal rules of fair play and justice.
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BREACH OF RIGHTS INDEX
Shipowners, ship managers, flag states or other parties, which warrant inclusion on the ITF Seafarers’ Breach of Rights Index.
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RED LISTED RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
The ITFShipBeSure website provides advice on finding a manning agent, avoiding recruitment scams and ensuring you have the right contract.
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SEAFARERS’ WELFARE CENTRE INDEX
Find out if there is a seafarer centre in the port. Seafarers’ centres can provide advice, someone to talk to, facilities to contact home and a place where you can relax away from the ship.
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WELLBEING DIRECTORY
Wellbeing is the experience of health, happiness and life satisfaction and not just the absence of disease or illness.
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LATEST MARITIME NEWS

The latest news on the issues affecting us all, and the actions we’re taking to improve our workers' lives and futures.
News 09 September 2025

Peter McEwen

It is with deep sadness that the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) marks the passing of Peter McEwen (MBE MNM) a tireless advocate for seafarers around the world.

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