Crew Abandonment on Bulk Carrier

Background: In December 2024, the bulk carrier Grand Sunny, flagged under Panama, was abandoned off the coast of China. The all-Indonesian crew had been stranded for over a year without pay, adequate supplies, or means to return home. This incident is part of a growing trend in the maritime industry, where vessels are left unattended, and crews are neglected.

Compliance Failures Identified:

  • Non-Payment of Wages: The crew had not received their salaries for several months, violating the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) standards.​
  • Lack of Repatriation: The shipowner failed to repatriate the crew after abandonment, leaving them stranded without support.​
  • Inadequate Living Conditions: The crew endured poor living conditions, with limited access to food, water, and medical supplies.​

How SRS-MI Compliance Could Have Prevented This:

  • Financial Security Requirements: SRS-MI mandates that shipowners maintain financial security to cover crew wages and repatriation costs, ensuring that funds are available in cases of abandonment.
  • Regular Audits: Through regular audits and inspections, SRS-MI ensures compliance with international labor standards, identifying and addressing issues before they escalate.​
  • Crew Welfare Programs: SRS-MI emphasizes the importance of crew welfare, requiring shipowners to provide adequate living conditions, medical care, and support systems for seafarers.

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Source: https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/never-before-have-so-many-sailors-been-abandoned-at-sea-11549bba

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Addressing Ship Abandonment and Environmental Risks with SRS-MI Certification

Case Study: Addressing Ship Abandonment and Environmental Risks with SRS-MI Certification

Background: Rising Incidents of Ship Abandonment and Environmental Violations

The maritime industry is confronting significant challenges, particularly concerning the abandonment of vessels and environmental compliance failures. These issues not only jeopardize the welfare of seafarers but also pose substantial environmental hazards.

  • Surge in Ship Abandonment Cases: In recent years, there has been a notable increase in ship abandonment incidents. According to reports, over 3,000 seafarers on 230 ships were affected in 2024 alone, with many left stranded without pay or basic necessities (Associated Press).
  • Environmental Compliance Failures: Instances of environmental negligence have also risen. For example, environmental groups criticized Albania for delays in investigating 102 containers suspected of containing toxic waste from steel industry pollution control filters, highlighting the potential environmental risks associated with maritime operations (Associated Press).

The Challenge: Navigating Complex Compliance and Ethical Obligations

A mid-sized shipping company operating in the Mediterranean faced significant challenges:

  • Crew Welfare Issues: The company experienced financial difficulties, leading to delayed wage payments and inadequate onboard provisions, increasing the risk of crew abandonment.
  • Environmental Oversights: Lapses in waste management practices resulted in improper handling of hazardous materials, attracting scrutiny from environmental watchdogs.

These challenges not only threatened the company’s reputation but also risked legal actions and financial penalties.

The Solution: Implementing SRS-MI Certification

To address these pressing issues, the company adopted the Social Responsibility Standard for the Maritime Industry (SRS-MI) certification. This comprehensive standard provided a structured approach to:

  • Enhance Crew Welfare: By adhering to SRS-MI guidelines, the company ensured timely wage payments, adequate living conditions, and support systems for seafarers, significantly reducing the risk of abandonment.
  • Strengthen Environmental Compliance: The certification guided the company in establishing robust waste management protocols and environmental safeguards, aligning operations with international environmental standards.

Outcomes: Improved Compliance and Reputation

Post-certification, the company observed:

  • Reduced Abandonment Incidents: Improved crew welfare led to higher morale and retention rates, with no reported abandonment cases.
  • Enhanced Environmental Stewardship: The company successfully passed environmental audits and received commendations from regulatory bodies for its proactive measures.
  • Reinforced Reputation: Stakeholders, including clients and investors, expressed increased confidence in the company’s commitment to ethical practices and compliance.

Why SRS-MI Certification is Essential

Mitigating Legal and Ethical Risks: SRS-MI provides a clear framework to navigate complex maritime regulations, reducing the likelihood of legal infractions and ethical breaches.

Enhancing Stakeholder Trust: Certification signals a commitment to social responsibility, strengthening relationships with clients, investors, and regulatory authorities.

Promoting Sustainable Operations: By adopting SRS-MI standards, companies contribute to the broader goal of sustainable and ethical maritime practices.

Is your company prepared to tackle the challenges of crew welfare and environmental compliance? Embracing SRS-MI certification can pave the way for responsible operations and long-term success.

Contact us today to learn how SRS-MI certification can transform your maritime operations and uphold the highest standards of social responsibility.

Why Maritime Companies Need SRS-MI – The Compliance & ESG Advantage

Background: The Growing ESG Pressure on Maritime Companies

In the last five years, regulatory pressure on the maritime industry has intensified. Shipping, ports, fisheries, offshore energy, and cruise lines are facing stricter requirements from international bodies like the IMO, ILO, EU, and ESG investors.

  • IMO’s Decarbonization Mandates – The shipping industry must cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2050 (IMO Strategy 2023).
  • EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) – Companies must disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks by 2026 (European Commission, 2023).
  • ILO’s Push for Labor Compliance – Increasing scrutiny on crew welfare, forced labor risks, and ethical recruitment (ILO C188, MLC 2006).

Yet, maritime companies struggle with one major challenge—there is no single, structured ESG certification that ensures compliance across all these areas.

The Challenge: Fragmented Compliance, High Costs, and Business Risks

A mid-sized shipping company operating in Europe and Asia was already following basic compliance with IMO’s safety regulations and MARPOL environmental rules. However, when a major retailer client requested proof of ESG compliance across labor, environmental, and governance factors, the company ran into problems:

  • They had no centralized ESG certification—Only individual compliance reports for MARPOL, MLC 2006, and a few ISO certifications.
  • Investors flagged their ESG risks—A sustainability-focused lender rejected their financing application due to a lack of structured ESG governance.
  • They were fined for labor violations—A subcontracted vessel was found in violation of ILO crew welfare standards, leading to negative press and reputational damage.

They realized they needed one framework to align with all compliance and ESG reporting requirements.

The Solution: SRS-MI – A Single Certification for Maritime ESG Compliance

By implementing SRS-MI (Social Responsibility Standard for the Maritime Industry), the company achieved:

– One ESG Certification Covering All Compliance Areas – Instead of multiple fragmented reports, they now had a single certification covering labor, environmental, and governance standards.

– Investor & Client Recognition – With structured ESG reporting aligned with CSRD and IMO regulations, their sustainability rating improved, making them eligible for ESG-linked financing.

–  Risk Reduction & Market Access – They minimized legal risks and became eligible for supplier contracts requiring ESG verification.

Why Companies Need SRS-MI Now

Regulatory Compliance is No Longer Optional – CSRD, IMO, and ILO requirements are enforced globally. Companies without structured ESG compliance risk fines, legal action, and reputational damage.

Financial Impact is Immediate – ESG non-compliance increases insurance premiums, blocks financing, and limits access to corporate supply chains. The cost of non-compliance is greater than the cost of certification.

A Competitive Advantage for the Future – Companies that adopt ESG early secure better investor ratings, stronger customer loyalty, and regulatory resilience.

Take the Next Step

Are you confident your company meets all ESG and compliance standards? If not, SRS-MI provides the structured pathway to compliance, risk mitigation, and ESG leadership.

Contact us to learn how SRS-MI certification can strengthen your company’s compliance, reputation, and business opportunities.