Factsheet
Healthy eating
Proper nutrition, along with adequate rest and sleep, regular exercise, and good hygiene, can help us to lead a healthy and happy life.
ITF Seafarers
Seafarers move the world, sustaining our economies and communities – but they routinely face exploitation. The ITF fights for seafarers’ rights.
What can we help you with?
Find out more
Factsheet
Managing stress
The earlier we recognise the signs and symptoms of stress, the better we will be able to manage it.
Factsheet
Managing weight and obesity
Obesity does not happen overnight. It develops gradually over time, as a result of poor diet and lifestyle choices.
Resource
Beyond the Limit
How Covid-19 corner-cutting places too much risk in the international shipping system.
Factsheet
Before you board
ITF advice on your contract to work at sea, recruitment scams and crewing agents
Factsheet
ITF agreements
ITF Agreements are only those that are approved by the ITF and only apply to ships flying a Flag of Convenience (FOC)*
Factsheet
Basic rights under ILO
The ILO sets international labour standards through key international agreements.
Factsheet
Your rights under the MLC
The MLC covers all vessels and applies to all seafarers. But you must be at least 16 and have a medical certificate to work on a ship.
Resource
ITF Guide for Seafarers to the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), otherwise known as the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights, incorporates and builds on sixty eight existing maritime labour conventions and recommendations, as well as more general fundamental principles, to ensure decent working and living conditions for all seafarers.
Explore
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.
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
MANNING AGENTS
Let us guide you through the recruitment process. Advice on finding an agent, avoiding scams and ensuring you have the right contract.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Stay healthy and happy at sea. Learn about wellbeing illness and disease.
Find the nearest welfare centre to your port.
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.
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.
BREACH OF RIGHTS INDEX
Shipowners, ship managers, flag states or other parties, which warrant inclusion on the ITF Seafarers’ Breach of Rights Index.
RED LISTED RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
The ITFShipBeSure website provides advice on finding a manning agent, avoiding recruitment scams and ensuring you have the right contract.
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.
WELLBEING DIRECTORY
Wellbeing is the experience of health, happiness and life satisfaction and not just the absence of disease or illness.
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
15 July 2025
Seafarer abandonments cases surge by 30% in 2025
Over 2,280 seafarers have been abandoned aboard 222 vessels so far this year – with $13.1 million in unpaid wages and a 30% year-on-year increase in cases
New figures released today b
News
03 July 2025
ITF raises alarm over rising dangers to seafarers in Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and Israeli waters
The ITF voiced its concern this week to the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and Israeli ports and asked that these areas be designated as Warlike Op
News
27 June 2025