Posted: May 1st, 2024

How can the shipping industry ensure the safety and well-being of its crew members, and what are some of the challenges faced in this area?

# How can the shipping industry ensure the safety and well-being of its crew members, and what are some of the challenges faced in this area?

The shipping industry is one of the most vital sectors of the global economy, transporting about 90% of world trade. However, it is also one of the most hazardous industries, exposing its crew members to various risks and hazards, such as accidents, injuries, illnesses, fatigue, stress, piracy, and isolation. Therefore, ensuring the safety and well-being of seafarers is not only a moral and legal obligation, but also a strategic necessity for the shipping industry to maintain its efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness.

## Safety and seaworthiness challenges of unmanned ships

One of the emerging trends in the shipping industry is the development and deployment of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS), which are ships that can operate independently of human interaction to varying degrees. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), MASS can be classified into four categories:

– Category A: Ships with automated processes and decision support. Seafarers are on board to operate and control shipboard systems and functions. Some operations may be automated.
– Category B: Remotely controlled ships with seafarers on board. The ship is controlled and operated from another location. Seafarers are available on board to take control and to operate the shipboard systems and functions.
– Category C: Remotely controlled ships without seafarers on board. The ship is controlled and operated from another location. There are no seafarers on board.
– Category D: Fully autonomous ships. The operating system of the ship is able to make decisions and determine actions by itself.

The advent of unmanned MASS (categories C and D) has created safety concerns and seaworthiness challenges in the shipping and port sector, as these ships may pose new risks or increase existing ones, such as cyberattacks, system failures, communication breakdowns, environmental impacts, legal liabilities, ethical dilemmas, and social acceptance. Therefore, there is a need for a novel, comprehensive safety regulatory framework and safety management system that can address these issues in a holistic and risk-based manner, incorporating all the aspects and stakeholders involved in the maritime sector.

The concept of seaworthiness, which is the ability of a ship to withstand the perils of the sea and to perform its intended voyage safely, must also be revisited in light of the introduction of automation and digitalization. Seaworthiness is not an absolute, but a variable concept that evolves with the advancements in technology and the generally accepted industry standards and practices. Hence, seaworthiness must be aligned with the safety regulations and standards for MASS that are being developed by the IMO and other relevant organizations.

## Human factors challenges of crew management

Another key aspect of ensuring the safety and well-being of seafarers is addressing the human factors challenges of crew management. Human factors are the interactions between humans and other elements of a system that influence human performance and behavior. According to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), 66% of maritime incidents and casualties are caused by human factors. The main contributing elements to human factors accidents are control of work and crew wellbeing.

Control of work refers to the processes and procedures that govern how work is planned, authorized, executed, supervised, monitored, and reviewed on board ships. Some of the challenges related to control of work are administrative and disparate systems, lack of real-time visibility to ongoing operations, ship-shore coordination, and compliance assurance. To improve control of work, there is a need for integrated software solutions that can streamline workflows (such as permits, risk assessments, safety checklists, etc.), incorporate industry best practices, provide real-time visibility to front-line safety operations, enhance crew situational awareness, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

Crew wellbeing refers to the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of seafarers. Some of the challenges related to crew wellbeing are fatigue, stress,

Crew Wellbeing: A Vital Aspect of Seafaring
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Crew wellbeing refers to the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of seafarers. It is a vital aspect of seafaring, as it affects not only the quality of life of seafarers, but also their safety, performance, and productivity. However, crew wellbeing is often challenged by various factors, such as fatigue, stress, isolation, piracy, workload, and lack of shore leave. In this blog post, we will explore some of these challenges and how they can be addressed to improve crew wellbeing onboard.

Fatigue
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Fatigue is one of the most common and serious challenges that seafarers face. It is caused by long working hours, irregular sleep patterns, environmental factors, and personal issues. Fatigue can impair seafarers’ cognitive abilities, decision making, reaction time, and alertness. It can also increase the risk of human error, accidents, injuries, and illnesses. To prevent and manage fatigue, seafarers should follow the guidelines on hours of work and rest, maintain a healthy diet and hydration, exercise regularly, and seek medical attention if needed.

Stress
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Stress is another challenge that affects seafarers’ wellbeing. It is triggered by various sources, such as job demands, family pressures, cultural differences, lack of control, and uncertainty. Stress can negatively affect seafarers’ mood, motivation, communication, and cooperation. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicidal thoughts. To cope with stress, seafarers should identify and avoid stressors when possible, practice relaxation techniques, seek social support from peers and family, and access professional counseling if necessary.

Isolation
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Isolation is a challenge that stems from the nature of seafaring. Seafarers are away from their home and loved ones for long periods of time. They may feel lonely, homesick, or disconnected from the society. They may also face difficulties in adjusting to different cultures and languages onboard. Isolation can affect seafarers’ self-esteem, identity, and sense of belonging. It can also exacerbate other challenges such as fatigue and stress. To overcome isolation, seafarers should maintain regular contact with their family and friends through phone calls or emails (if available), participate in onboard social activities (such as games or celebrations), respect and appreciate the diversity of their crewmates (such as learning about their customs or cuisines), and seek spiritual guidance (if applicable).

Piracy
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Piracy is a challenge that poses a serious threat to seafarers’ wellbeing. It is a violent crime that involves the attack or hijacking of ships by armed groups. Piracy can expose seafarers to physical harm (such as injuries or death), psychological trauma (such as fear or post-traumatic stress disorder), and financial loss (such as ransom or theft). Piracy can also affect seafarers’ families who may worry about their safety or whereabouts. To deal with piracy, seafarers should follow the best management practices for protection against piracy (such as reporting incidents or avoiding high-risk areas), receive adequate training on anti-piracy measures (such as self-defense or hostage survival), and access appropriate care after a piracy incident (such as medical treatment or debriefing).

Workload
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Workload is a challenge that relates to the amount and complexity of work that seafarers have to perform. Workload can be influenced by factors such as ship size, crew size,

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