Seafarer welfare is improving among ship operators participating in a voluntary assessment, but new research points to continuing shortcomings across the wider industry, Hellenic Shipping News reported. A review of five years under a crew welfare code of conduct found that advances reported by companies were not consistently reflected in seafarers’ accounts of working conditions.
The report draws on three previously unpublished sources: RightShip’s Crew Welfare Self-Assessment (CWSA) and two studies of seafarers commissioned for the review. More than 1,000 companies have completed the assessment, representing over 13,000 vessels and roughly 300,000 seafarers. Participation is also broadening beyond the biggest operators, according to the report.
Employment terms were among the strongest areas in the company assessments, with attainment of 90%. Among surveyed seafarers, however, 76% said wages were invariably paid accurately, fully and on schedule. The contrast was sharper for crewing: participating companies recorded 88% attainment, while only 49% of seafarers said their latest contract had provided sufficient personnel to operate safely without excessive fatigue or violations of agreed rest hours.
Confidence in reporting problems was also limited. Just 59% of surveyed seafarers said they would feel safe voicing a serious concern without fearing consequences; others either felt unsafe or were uncertain. Crew wellbeing was the weakest owner-and-operator assessment area, at 76%, although the report identified improvement. The proportion of participating companies charging for internet access declined from 18.4% in 2024 to 8.5% in 2026.
Mental-health training among the participating owners and operators increased from 64% to 76% since 2024. In the seafarer surveys, 56% reported access to free mental-health assistance or confidential counselling that they would feel comfortable using. A further 17% had access but would not feel safe using it, while 27% lacked those services altogether.
The report urged charterers, cargo owners, insurers, financiers, regulators and flag states to incorporate welfare into commercial and regulatory decisions. Sustainable Shipping Initiative chief executive Ellie Besley-Gould argued that the next five years should focus on narrowing the gap between leading operators and the wider industry, including through decisions on business awards, insurance and access to capital.