The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) has unveiled a comprehensive mapping of crew welfare, wellbeing, and safety data aimed at enhancing the understanding of maritime risks related to human factors. This initiative, funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, highlights that while data on seafarers exists, its usage is often fragmented and isolated within the industry. The research points out inconsistencies in the legal definitions of welfare and safety, and notes the absence of shared Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for measuring progress.
A significant finding is that fatigue is frequently misclassified as human error in incident reports, leading to an underrepresentation of the actual causes of losses. Additionally, early-warning systems are inadequate, as reactive tools tend to overlook critical leading indicators, despite the availability of relevant data from various inspections and crew surveys. Ellie Besley-Gould, CEO of SSI, emphasized that while the necessary information for managing human risk is available, it remains disorganized and disconnected from key decision-making processes.
The study also revealed that few insurers, Protection and Indemnity (P&I) clubs, and shipowners incorporate people-risk signals into their operational and chartering choices, potentially contributing to higher incident rates and reputational harm. Yves Vandenborn from NorthStandard stressed the need for a unified language within the industry to address these issues effectively. The SSI plans to enhance participation across the value chain to establish shared indicators and translate findings into frameworks that influence underwriting and financing decisions, urging the sector to collaborate on a standardized approach to managing people-related risks at sea. Menand Karsan, General Manager of Marine at Rio Tinto, noted that improving safety and crew welfare relies on a clear, collective understanding of the data, marking this mapping as a significant step toward greater transparency and informed decision-making.
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