Seafarer mental wellness improves, physical health issues remain

The 2024 report aims to provide an indication of what is really happening in the industry and included topics such as mental and physical wellbeing, bullying and harassment, experience of women seafarers, and questions about employee retention and satisfaction. When it came to mental well being and physical health the 2024 report showed something of a dichotomy. Stockinger noted that there was a positive shift when it came to seafarers mental health. “Seafarers are a little bit happier, a little bit less stressed, and a little bit less lonely,” she explained. Improved mental wellness is seen as likely stemming from lessons learned in the pandemic.

However, when it came to physical health the picture was less positive with close to 70% of seafarers reported to overweight or obese. Diet, exercise and sleep were seen as major factors. Stockinger said 40% of seafarers were not exercising enough, 28% reported not getting enough sleep, and in terms of diet they were not getting enough fruit and vegetables.

“We really need to make sure that seafarers are given the opportunity to make healthier choices. Give them facilities where they can exercise, give them the time to give them time to sleep, give them healthy [food] options on board,” she said.

Bullying and harassment is an issue that has come to the fore in recent years, although as was noted by other speakers, it was not new, however, was now much more recognised than in the past.

When seafarers were asked what could be done to make improvements the top three factors were salary, contract duration, and bonus and allowance schemes. Stockinger said the industry also needs to look at the next set of factors which are promotions, career development paths, health insurance, and crew health and wellbeing.

“We see that the younger generation, they care a lot more about human sustainability and they want to work for companies that actually care,” she said. It is this younger generation that is the future of the industry.

In terms of taking forward the findings of the report to make improvements on board Marine Benefits recommends choosing two or three areas, to a maximum of four, to focus on so as not overwhelm the company or its seafarers.