The Legal Committee (LEG) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) convened for its 112th session from 24 to 28 March 2024 at the IMO Headquarters in London. The recent session of the IMO Legal Committee saw significant discussions and developments across a range of maritime issues impacting shipping and particularly seafarers. Key topics included the adoption of guidelines for the fair treatment of detained seafarers, rising concerns over seafarer abandonment, and progress on the 2010 HNS Protocol. Additionally, the committee addressed ongoing security threats in the Black Sea, fraudulent ship registrations, and the regulatory challenges posed by maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). These initiatives reflect the committee’s continued commitment to enhancing maritime safety, security, and fairness in the industry. Guidelines for Fair Treatment of Detained Seafarers Adopted A key outcome of the IMO Legal Committee’s recent session was the adoption of guidelines to ensure fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of crimes. For more details, see the article Guidelines for Fair Treatment of Detained Seafarers Adopted by IMO’s Legal Committee. Financial Security in Case of Abandonment of Seafarers The IMO Legal Committee expressed significant concerns over the alarming rise in seafarer abandonment cases, with 310 new incidents recorded in 2024 alone, surpassing previous years. Of these, 144 lacked mandatory financial guarantees for repatriation, leaving 3,133 seafarers stranded across 282 vessels. This surge in cases highlighted the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), particularly its financial security provisions. The Committee acknowledged the efforts of the ILO, IMO, and ITF but stressed the importance of improving compliance with the MLC and the accuracy of reporting in the IMO/ILO joint database, which is an essential tool for resolving abandonment cases. Delegates emphasised the emotional and psycholog