The latest Seafarers’ Happiness Index (SHI) from The Mission to Seafarers shows a slight increase in overall happiness among maritime workers, rising to 6.98 out of 10 in Q1 2025 from 6.91 in Q4 2024. Despite this modest improvement, persistent issues continue to affect morale within the industry.
Respondents reported heightened stress related to mental health, excessive workloads, limited shore leave, and connectivity challenges. The index highlighted that wellness at sea is increasingly under pressure, particularly during port operations, where seafarers face high-stress environments due to administrative burdens and stringent oversight. The challenges of maintaining aging vessels alongside integrating new technologies add to this strain.
Training quality is another area needing attention, with seafarers advocating for more practical, confidence-building instruction rather than solely technical knowledge. While many express pride in their work and value strong crew camaraderie, feelings of isolation and overwhelming workloads often overshadow these positives.
Key stressors include poor internet access, limited shore leave, and stagnant wages, exacerbated by inflation and corporate cost-cutting. Seafarers feel frustrated by their lack of control over working conditions, as management decisions significantly impact their quality of life.
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