The ability of seafarers to take shore leave has been seriously eroded and may even be facing extinction. This research aims to quantify the current levels of shore leave in terms of frequency and length of time spent ashore and to identify the barriers.
In May 2024, the ITF Seafarers’ Trust designed and launched an online survey of seafarers to gauge the current situation in relation to seafarers’ access to shore leave. Almost 6000 seafarers responded. The results were then shared with World Maritime University for academic analysis.
The main purpose of this research is to quantify shore leave frequency and time spent ashore. Further, identifying the main barriers to shore leave provides an extensive picture of the difficulties to overcome. While recommendations are not made in the report, the outcome of the survey is expected to trigger discussion and action around the implementation of MLC, 2006 Regulation 4.4.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) Regulation 4.4 Access to shore-based welfare facilities requires Member States to develop and provide access to welfare facilities and services. Paragraph 5 (Guideline B4.4.6 – Seafarers in a foreign port) underscores that “every effort should be made by those responsible in port and on board a ship to facilitate shore leave for seafarers as soon as possible after a ship’s arrival in port.”
Shore leave is not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental aspect of seafarers’ wellbeing. It preserves their humanity by allowing them to reconnect with the world, relax, and maintain their health. Regulation 2.4 paragraph 2 emphasises this, stating that in addition to home leave, “Seafarers shall be granted shore leave to benefit their health and well-being […].”
Therefore, providing decent working and living conditions, including access to shore-based facilities and services, signifies “humane conditions of labour” (ILO Constitution preamble) for seafarers.
Furthermore, the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) mandates “Crew members [seafarers] shall be allowed ashore by the public authorities while the ship on which they arrive is in port and in a manner which excludes discrimination such as on the grounds of nationality, race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, or social origin and irrespective of the flag State of the ship.”
Finally, the IMO Guidelines on fatigue (MSC.1/Circ.1598) list the availability (or not) of short leave in the potential causes of stress and fatigue.
In short, the Member States acting as flag or port States shall develop and promote access to shore leave in ports for those working at sea. In this respect, flag States shall recall companies their roles in facilitating access to shore leave for seafarers. Additionally, port States shall ease access to shore for seafarers calling their ports.