A joint report by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and World Maritime University reveals that more than a quarter of seafarers receive no shore leave during contracts averaging 6.6 months, while a third go ashore only once or twice. Even when granted, 93.5% of shore leave periods last under six hours, with nearly half under three. Officers, offshore vessel crews, and tanker crews are the least likely to get ashore, with barriers including minimal crewing, heavy workloads, port security, inspections, and limited time in port. The report warns that shore leave is becoming an unattainable concept, calling for urgent action from all maritime stakeholders to prioritisz crew well-being, vessel safety, and retention amid looming labour shortages.
