Expanded Africa and Middle East Conference reflects the future of maritime and the growing demand for wellbeing support for cadets, ratings and trainees
Back for a fifth year, global maritime charity Sailors’ Society has published the dates for its expanded 2026 Wellness at Sea Conferences for the next generation of maritime.
The conferences provide a platform for discussions around mental wellbeing, cultural diversity, connectivity, resilience, career progression and life at sea, while ensuring more young maritime professionals have access to the practical support and wellbeing tools they need before joining the industry.
The four regional virtual events entitled ‘Future ready – thriving at sea’ will explore the five pillars of Sailors’ Society’s Wellness at Sea programme – social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing – through expert presentations, industry discussions and interactive sessions.
2026 also sees the expansion of the Africa regional event to become the Africa and Middle East Conference.
Sailors’ Society CEO Sara Baade said: “The move reflects the growing contribution both regions make to the global maritime workforce and recognises the shared experiences, challenges and opportunities facing cadets, ratings and trainees across Africa and the Middle East. By bringing participants together under one regional event, Sailors’ Society aims to encourage greater collaboration, wider knowledge-sharing and stronger peer support networks among the next generation of seafarers.”
The acclaimed virtual conferences have already reached more than 35,000 future maritime professionals worldwide and have become a key part of helping maritime students navigate the realities of life at sea. The events complement existing training programmes by providing practical tools and insights on wellbeing, resilience, connectivity, relationships and career development.
The 2026 conference programme will take place on the following dates:
- Indian Subcontinent Conference – 20 August 2026
- South East Asia Conference – 5 September 2026
- Africa and Middle East Conference – 17 September 2026
- UK and Europe Conference – 18 November 2026
Registration for the conferences opens two months before each event, with cadets, ratings and trainees from the Indian Subcontinent able to register from June 20 HERE
Details on the conferences can be found HERE where you can also find the agenda for the day.
Britannia P&I Club will again sponsor the 2026 South East Asia Wellness at Sea Conference. Britannia P&I has been a long-standing supporter of seafarer wellbeing through its partnership with Sailors’ Society, including sponsorship of previous South East Asia cadet conferences and wider support for Wellness at Sea initiatives.
