Seafarer Wellbeing News

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) announced that Cyprus officially recommended the ICS International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers for use on board vessels under its flag.The Republic of Cyprus Deputy Shipping Ministry has issued a circular to its fleet recommending the comprehensive medical guide, joining an expanding list of leading flag states that recognize the guide's value in protecting seafarer and fisher health and safety. In addition to recommending inclusion of the guide in the list of publications to be on board Cyprus flagged ships…

NYK has installed a compact plant cultivation rack aboard the coal carrier Pirika Moshiri Maru, which is operated for Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.The system, called the “PUTRACK” and developed by Plants Laboratory Co., Ltd., uses a water-saving cultivation technology that requires only a small amount of water. Its design allows for flexible adjustment of the number of racks and tiers to match the ship’s available space, enabling efficient cultivation of the required quantity of vegetables even within the limited space on board a ship.

KVH Industries has announced that, together with MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT), they are deploying KVH Link across their in-house managed fleet. MOLCT has contracted MOVIElink, TVlink, MUSIClink, and YOURlink to create a crew content package onboard for their crew. With a wide selection of movies, including Hollywood blockbusters, Bollywood hits, major Pinoy releases in addition to top TV series and documentaries delivered each month, crew will have access to quality entertainment options during designated off-duty hours…

Revealing both the positives and negatives of increased connectivity at sea and the growing reliance on peer support by the next generation of maritime, Sailors’ Society has published its latest Cadet Report, "The first digital seafarer generation." Sponsored by Inmarsat Maritime (a Viasat company), the report captures the voices of cadets, ratings and trainees from 30 countries. Drawing on insights gathered from more than 9,000 Gen Z seafarers who attended the maritime charity’s global 2025 Wellness at Sea Conferences…

Seafarers have the right to refuse to sail on ships passing through the Middle East Gulf, including the Strait of Hormuz, after the threat level for the region was raised to its highest level, the leading labour union and shipping industry groups said on Thursday.Around 300 ships are anchored on both sides of the Strait while the U.S.-led war against Iran escalates. Since February 28, nine ships have been damaged and at least one seafarer has been killed.As part of negotiated arrangements reached on Thursday between mariners and commercial shipping companies…

The World Maritime University (WMU) has published a new report, In Search of a Sea-Life Balance in an Adverse Environment, shedding light on the realities of seafarers’ work, health and career intentions in today’s shipping industry. Commissioned by the Officers’ Union of International Seamen (OUIS), the study draws on responses from 4,372 seafarers representing 99 nationalities, making it one of the most comprehensive recent surveys of life and work at sea.The findings point to persistently long working hours…

On September 26, NYK and Tama Art University (TAU) hosted the final presentation of their second co-creative research project, “Cozy・Comfy — Discovering Joy in Work and Life at Sea” at NYK’s head office in Tokyo. Seventeen master’s and bachelor’s students from Studio 3 of TAU’s Product Design Course unveiled a series of design proposals aimed at enhancing the well-being of future generations of seafarers through spatial concepts that re-design both work and living environments…