Driven by the findings of an industry-wide survey last year, the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has produced a guide providing practical ways to support seafarers’ wellbeing during the zero-carbon transition.
ISWAN’s new guidance sponsored by The Shipowners’ Club, “Taking a seafarer-centred approach to decarbonisation: Guidance for seafarers and maritime stakeholders” provides practical ways in which seafarers can support their own wellbeing and that of fellow crew during the zero-carbon transition.
In 2023, ISWAN conducted a survey of 400 seafarers and 55 shore-based staff globally. The findings revealed that while many seafarers supported decarbonisation efforts and were willing to contribute, rapid technological changes and new regulatory regimes were increasing workload, fatigue, and stress. Concerns were also raised about the potential criminalisation of seafarers.
The guidance, written by Dr. Chris Haughton FNI FIMarEST FSET, emphasises the importance of valuing seafarers as experts and partners, and strengthening communication about technological change as part of a ‘whole organisation’ approach to connect ship and shore. It also offers practical suggestions to help maritime stakeholders understand and plan for the impact of ‘technostress’ on safety at sea.
Value seafarers as experts and partners
The centrality of highly trained, competent seafarers to a decarbonised maritime sector is clear. At sea, the responsibility for implementing onboard decarbonisation technologies falls predominantly on individual seafarers. However, one of the most powerful findings of ISWAN’s survey is that many seafarers report that, despite their fundamental importance in achieving a decarbonised maritime sector, their role and expertise is rarely acknowledged.
Furthermore, As ISWAN’s survey made clear, many seafarers understand all too well the need to take steps to safeguard the environment. They have undoubted expertise and are proud to play their part as drivers of change. There is ample opportunity for maritime organisations to build on this substantial reservoir of positive belief and goodwill to create stronger foundations for the sector’s transition to zero carbon.
Valorising seafarers’ importance to decarbonisation is only possible within a wider context of addressing the multiple factors that are driving the maritime sector’s deepening recruitment and retention crisis, including widespread dissatisfaction about pay and conditions, and changing priorities amongst younger generations.
However, implementing the changes that would see seafarers truly respected and valued as integral to achieving environmental goals could represent a major step forwards in terms of enhancing the maritime sector’s sustainability in human terms.
Questions to consider
For seafarers:
- How well do you and your onboard colleagues understand the broader context of the maritime sector’s journey to decarbonisation and your role in it?
- In what ways do you feel your expertise can contribute to the path to zero carbon? What are your hopes and concerns regarding decarbonisation?
- What onboard initiatives could better acknowledge and highlight the critical role your crew plays in decarbonising the maritime sector?
For maritime stakeholders:
- What systems do you have in place to recognise and value the essential role seafarers are playing in decarbonising maritime operations?
- How can your organisation better leverage seafarers’ expertise and willingness to support a cleaner maritime sector?
Furthermore, addressing the need for an effective safety culture, ISWAN’s guidance provides practical steps that maritime companies can take to invest in seafarer-centred working practices, such as reviewing crewing models to tackle fatigue, and prioritising psychological safety so that seafarers feel able to raise concerns or questions and have sufficient mechanisms to do so.
Overall, ISWAN’s guidance illustrates the need for holistic thinking to build the working cultures and practices that will enable the sector to successfully recruit and retain the skilled professionals it needs to ensure a safe, equitable and sustainable transition to zero carbon.
As the pace of decarbonisation accelerates, it is essential to ensure that the additional demands that rapid technological change places on seafarers are not overlooked amidst the pressures to meet regulatory requirements. Particularly with the advent of alternative, more hazardous fuels, providing training to upskill seafarers is only one angle of the preparations for zero carbon that the sector needs to prepare for. Taking a proactive approach to building psychological safety will also be fundamental to ensuring a sustainable future for the sector, in both human and environmental terms.
..said Simon Grainge, Chief Executive, ISWAN.
Louise Hall, Director of Loss Prevention, Corporate Responsibility & Marketing, The Shipowners’ Club, also noted that as the maritime industry is constantly evolving, it is critical that the welfare of those at sea remains a central focus.
Seafarers play a pivotal role in achieving global sustainability goals, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are equipped, protected, and supported throughout this transition. This guidance is a valuable resource in fostering a safe, resilient, and inclusive working environment during a time of significant industry change.
…Hall highlighted.
