Urgent Reform Needed for Seafarers’ Fatigue and Long Work Hours

The World Maritime University’s study indicates that seafarers are subjected to long working hours and insufficient rest, resulting in high levels of fatigue. This report, titled “Quantifying an inconvenient truth: revisiting a culture of adjustment on work/rest hours,” highlights the discrepancy in working hours between seafarers and onshore workers. Only 3.3% of seafarers’ weekly working hours align with the global average of 43 hours, emphasizing the need for aligning maritime working hours with international labor standards.

Despite the initial establishment of 8-hour workdays and 48-hour workweeks as standards by the ILO in 1919, current maritime regulations allow workweeks of up to 91 or even 98 hours, far exceeding safe limits. The lax enforcement and flexible regulations contribute to widespread non-compliance, with many seafarers falsifying records to avoid penalties. This trend undermines the original intent of setting reasonable working hour limits and jeopardizes the well-being of seafarers.

Adjustments to working hours not only violate regulations but also compromise seafarers’ safety and shipping operations. The prevalence of adjustments in response to work demands and crewing levels highlights a pervasive issue in the maritime industry. Achieving meaningful reform requires a cultural shift among companies and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulations to protect seafarers’ health, safety, and well-being.

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