News

Could a greener world be a more isolated one for seafarers?

28 Sep, 2023

What does a net zero maritime world look like for our seafarers?

On World Maritime Day, our CEO, Sara Baade is reflecting on what a greener, safer, happier world will actually mean for those who sail the seas to bring us what we need.

Could a greener world be a more isolated one for seafarers?

This year, World Maritime Day focuses on the future, not just for the industry but the oceans ships sail on and the land they sail to and from.

The commitment to prevent the pollution of the marine environment by ships is an important one and reflects a desire to create a cleaner, greener world for future generations.

I recently moved back to Sweden, which is set to become the world’s first fossil-fuel-free nation, and it got me thinking about how a world devoid of fossil fuels would be seen through the eyes of our seafarers.

I thought that when the way we fuel ships changes, our seafaring engineers will need to learn new skills to go with the new clean engines. I thought about the cargo shipped across the globe. There will no doubt be change. Already we are seeing petrol and diesel cars replaced with electric models in the holds of the big transporters, but ships will still need to sail from A to B.

And crew, albeit much smaller ones, will still be needed.

But for those smaller crews who are now occupying the vast space once manned by many more, the sense of isolation, less companionship and separation from the community will be enormous.

Shifts will seem longer and with these more efficient green engines needing fewer stops for fuelling or repairs, the time spent at sea will no doubt increase. While the fears that so many seafarers and their families harbour about piracy, detention and shipwreck will remain the same.

We know there is a direct correlation between poor mental health, poor physical health and not only productivity, but safety. So, it will be more important than ever before to ensure seafarer welfare is a priority.

As I look into this future, I am convinced that the role maritime welfare charities like Sailors’ Society play in the lives of seafarers and their families will become more and more critical and why we must be there whenever and wherever they need us.

It’s why we moved from port-based chaplaincy to a virtual 24/7 service.

With increased connectivity and a new generation of seafarers who are never far from their mobiles, we wanted our support to be truly global, allowing seafarers to talk to someone, often in their own language, whenever and wherever they need to. Someone who can listen, offer advice, refer to other support services, help them contact family and support them through times of personal crisis.

That's why we have created specific peer-to-peer support groups for male and female seafarers, cadets, captains and families. Because as the maritime world changes, who better to support you and to share hopes and fears with, than those who understand and live your life and who can be an instant message away?

It’s also why we created our unique e-learning app, using the interactive techniques gamers and social media users are familiar with to provide the tools and resources to let seafarers live their best lives at sea.

When we all look to the future, we want it to be greener, safer and happier – don’t we?

But while I, like so many others, can only support the efforts of those like the IMO who are striving for the first, through our wellness and welfare work with today’s and tomorrow’s seafarers, I know Sailors’ Society, alongside its partners and funders, can make a real impact on the latter.

Share this article:

• 
• 
•