The January 2026 welcome message from the AMWS Chairman,
Mr David Parmeter
Mr David Parmeter
Hello everyone, and welcome to the first edition of the AMWS newsletter for 2026.
One of the goals of AMWS as a leading supporter of seafarer welfare is to speak up on issues that adversely impact seafarers both in Australia and overseas. And one of the ways we do this is through publicising relevant articles in this electronic newsletter.
In this month’s newsletter there are a number of important articles that shed light on the challenges faced by seafarers around the world. There is one article in particular I wish to bring to your attention.
It is a report from the ITF stating that 2025 was the Worst Year on Record for Seafarer Abandonment. This is a serious and disturbing development. Seafarer abandonment is an appalling situation, and it is widely known that abandoned seafarers often endure months of unpaid wages, poor living conditions, and a lack of food, clean water, and rest.
What is particularly concerning is that twelve months ago the ITF wrote a similar report stating that 2024 was the worst year on record for seafarer abandonment. As the report states: 2025 saw a 32% increase on the previous year and the sixth consecutive annual rise in cases. This means the problem is continually getting worse, not better.
This illustrates once again that for every operator that does the right thing and stricter industry regulation, there are still too many instances of seafarers being treated as a commodity.
At AMWS our purpose in highlighting these issues is to remind everyone in the industry and the wider community that the cause of seafarer welfare continues to be important and why it deserves your ongoing. support.
I trust you will enjoy this edition of the newsletter.
One of the goals of AMWS as a leading supporter of seafarer welfare is to speak up on issues that adversely impact seafarers both in Australia and overseas. And one of the ways we do this is through publicising relevant articles in this electronic newsletter.
In this month’s newsletter there are a number of important articles that shed light on the challenges faced by seafarers around the world. There is one article in particular I wish to bring to your attention.
It is a report from the ITF stating that 2025 was the Worst Year on Record for Seafarer Abandonment. This is a serious and disturbing development. Seafarer abandonment is an appalling situation, and it is widely known that abandoned seafarers often endure months of unpaid wages, poor living conditions, and a lack of food, clean water, and rest.
What is particularly concerning is that twelve months ago the ITF wrote a similar report stating that 2024 was the worst year on record for seafarer abandonment. As the report states: 2025 saw a 32% increase on the previous year and the sixth consecutive annual rise in cases. This means the problem is continually getting worse, not better.
This illustrates once again that for every operator that does the right thing and stricter industry regulation, there are still too many instances of seafarers being treated as a commodity.
At AMWS our purpose in highlighting these issues is to remind everyone in the industry and the wider community that the cause of seafarer welfare continues to be important and why it deserves your ongoing. support.
I trust you will enjoy this edition of the newsletter.
