Human Rights Violations at Sea - The Tip of the Iceberg

In the past the world´s merchant fleet was dominated by developed world-registered tonnage controlled by shipowners who had a direct link with, and employed nationals of, maritime nations which maintained comprehensive and effective safety inspectorates. Their employees enjoyed extensive human rights and trade union protection, and the industry as a whole came under the social control of a responsible national administration. The current global recession and over capacity in all market sectors has wrought profound changes in the structure of international shipping. This paper explores the impact of the emergent unregulated free market for seafaring labour upon the incidence of human rights violations at sea.