Revealing the Challenges Faced by Seafarers in the Green Transition

Seafarers are expressing concerns about the potential impact of decarbonisation on their mental health and the fear of being held responsible if things go awry. A recent survey conducted by the International Seafarers’ Welfare & Assistance Network, in collaboration with the Shipowners’ Club, sheds light on the hidden costs of the green transition, revealing a significant impact on job satisfaction among seafarers.

The study highlighted that while seafarers generally support decarbonisation efforts, they are experiencing heightened levels of stress, fatigue, and apprehensions about potential criminalisation due to the intricate nature of current and future reporting requirements. Interestingly, these concerns were more pronounced among engineers compared to deck officers. The report underscores the necessity for the industry to reevaluate crew sizes to accommodate new workloads and to acknowledge the psychological effects of rapid technological advancements.

In response to the findings, there is a call for safeguarding seafarers against technostress by ensuring that new technologies, systems, and processes are seamlessly integrated and easily accessible. Simon Grainge, the chief executive of ISWAN, emphasized the importance of addressing seafarers’ well-being in the face of commercial and regulatory pressures. By addressing these concerns and actively involving seafarers in the decarbonisation journey, maritime employers have the opportunity to empower them as advocates and champions of the industry’s transition towards zero carbon. The survey, which gathered responses from 400 seafarers representing 29 nationalities, was conducted between July and September 2023.

Source .