On the occasion of this year’s Day of the Seafarers, we are glad to host an interview with Mr. Vassilios Demetriades, Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister, who urges industry stakeholders to take tangible action in order seafarers to feel valued in their roles.
In that regard, the industry needs to make progressive improvements for a better lifestyle of seafarers onboard, which is a contributing factor to their overall wellbeing. Among many, investment in access to connectivity at sea, training onboard ships to boost morale and career progression, nourishing food and encouraging unity onboard can make a positive change and deliver a better onboard culture.
SAFETY4SEA: What are the top priorities in your agenda with regards to crew welfare for the next five years?
Vassilios Demetriades: The welfare of seafarers has been an ongoing priority of the Shipping Deputy Ministry since its inception, with over 60,000 seafarers currently working onboard Cyprus-flagged ships. Following the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cyprus was one of the first countries worldwide that recognised seafarers as key workers. We implemented a formal crew change process, assisting with the repatriation of thousands of individuals. The SDM also formulated and proposed a practical, global approach to delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to seafarers, which was then adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Further recognising the urgency of seafarer vaccination, and the role this would play in easing the crew change crisis, Cyprus then committed to vaccinating all crew onboard Cyprus-flagged and managed vessels with the adoption of a national vaccination plan to provide protection to over 40,000 seafarers.
Cyprus believes it is important to take an extrovert and proactive approach to crew welfare, and responding to new and changing circumstances. Our adaptable approach to the challenges faced by seafarers will always be a priority to protect their safety as well as vessel operations. Cyprus remains at the forefront of finding practical, global measures to support seafarers, whether this involves facilitating crew changes, supporting Ukraine and Russia seafarers to access bank accounts or promoting and supporting the provision of WIFI onboard ships. Seafarers are at the heart of shipping operations and it is essential that the industry makes flexible arrangements to existing ship management structures. Seafarers have encountered extraordinary circumstances during the past few years and need to be supported as a priority both today and into the future.
S4S: How can shipping improve life at sea for seafarers?
V.D.: The shipping industry can make incremental changes to improve life at sea for seafarers. It is not about transforming the industry overnight but making progressive improvements. For example, in a maritime world of increased digitalization and faster port turnaround times, the need for human contact is essential to make seafarers feel connected while they are at sea for long periods of time. Better connection and access to WIFI onboard will help with loneliness and also provide access to e-learning modules too. In addition, lifestyle while onboard is a contributing factor to the wellbeing of seafarers. Nourishing food, and having a positive and connected workforce will support greater happiness at sea, whether eating food that is reminiscent of home, or being onboard alongside those of similar cultures, or ensuring there isn’t a language barrier between crew members. Encouraging unity onboard makes a substantial difference to crew wellbeing while at sea. Even seemingly small, but positive changes can make a difference instantly and deliver a better onboard culture for seafarers.
S4S: What actions should we take to collectively create an inclusive and attractive industry for the future generation?
V.D.: Creating an inclusive ad attractive industry requires the shipping industry to look ahead and build a foundation upon which the industry can prosper. For example, with the digitalisation we are seeing across the industry, we need to be ready to support seafarers who will need to be trained to use emerging new technologies, and analyse and review available data. Experienced and talented people remain central to safe and effective industry progress and it’s important that the shipping industry is building new e-learning platforms and training procedures to support the change within the industry. New technologies and processes will require a diverse skillset and will also necessitate specific training for seafarers, enabling them to thrive within shipping’s evolving operating environment. To retain and attract talent, it is important that the shipping industry can adapt and change ahead of when it is needed. The shipping industry is at a time of great change and it is an exciting time for individuals to advance their career whether as seafarers, engineers, data analysts or chefs. By making more people aware of the opportunities and career progression of a life at sea, plus the diversity of roles available and those fulfilling them, shipping will expand its potential future workforce.
S4S: If you could change one thing in the shipping industry from your perspective, what would it be and why?
V.D.: Seafarers are the invisible workforce behind global trade and this needs to change. If shipping can make seafarers more visible by recognizing their contribution and demonstrating support of the workforce with tangible action, whether this is access to connectivity at sea and therefore calls to loved ones on shore, or whether this is improving training onboard ships to boost morale and career progression. Actions speak louder than words and we would like to see a cultural shift across the industry in creating a visible and respected workforce.
S4S: On the occasion of this year’s Day of the Seafarers on June 25th, what is your key message to industry stakeholders and our seafarers?
V.D.: This year’s Day of the Seafarer is a time to reflect and learn from our past and then create a better future. As an industry, we should be making incremental steps to protect and progress the welfare of our keyworkers, but also strive for bigger, more fundamental changes within the industry. Next month will mark the one year anniversary of Captain Lasota’s release from a high security prison following wrongful imprisonment. The basic human rights of seafarers are violated when they are detained for prolonged periods of time, even though they did not voluntarily commit any crime. The industry must continue to recognise and act on the issues relating to the criminalisation of seafarers and make global progress with the IMO. Cyprus continues to collaborate with other organisations at a regional and global level to prioritise seafarer welfare and urges the industry as a whole to unite in its efforts to create genuine change.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
