Abstract

This book details the deplorable conditions that exist in a minority sector of international shipping operating mainly, although not exclusively, under flags of convenience. In a horrific account of human rights abuses that would be little tolerated in the countries of the ship owners, the authors demonstrate that governments often pay little attention to cases of robbery, abandonment, deprivation and even death perpetrated by these ship owners or on vessels bearing their national flag. The financial and shipping institutions that support substandard ship owners are also prepared to ignore the plight of the individual seafarer serving on the ships under their tenure.

The authors draw on case studies to illustrate the issues, including a perspective on Adriatic Tanker Company of Greece and examples of incompetent management and the reckless finance provisions in merchant shipping. The authors also examine the plight of seafarers' families, who are particularly vulnerable, and the legal rights of abused and abandoned seafarers. They conclude by arguing for a global governance of shipping.
'A useful and much needed addition to the ocean literature ... The book is extremely well written and painstakingly documented ... The detailed case histories will shake some consciences'
Elisabeth Mann Borgese, Founder and Honorary Chair for Life, International Ocean Institute, Malta
'This book is a fine contribution to the ongoing debate about global governance in shipping and will doubtless help in persuading those who remain opposed to the notion that with flag state rights come flag state responsibilities'
David Cockroft, ITF General Secretary
'A fascinating book which avoids coming across as dry and academic. It is packed with facts and figures and allows the reader to see the real human cost of bad practices and problems seafarers can and have faced ... should also be of interest to anyone who is interested in the abuses faced by workers'
New Worker