Features
Caring for the Heart of the Sea: The Vital Link Between Physical and Mental Wellbeing of Seafarers
For millions of seafarers around the world, life at sea is a demanding journey—not just physically, but mentally. Away from family and friends, often for months at a time, facing unpredictable weather, long working hours, and confined living spaces, seafarers endure conditions that test both body and mind in profound ways.
While much attention has rightly been given to their physical health—injuries, fatigue, and the physical toll of their work—experts now stress that the wellbeing of seafarers cannot be fully understood or supported without recognizing the inseparable connection between physical and mental health. Caring for seafarers holistically is essential—not only for their own welfare but also for safety, productivity, and the smooth running of the global maritime industry.
The Invisible Burden: Mental Health at Sea
Mental health challenges among seafarers have historically been underreported and stigmatized. The isolation and stress inherent to life onboard vessels can breed feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Add to this irregular sleep patterns, long shifts, and limited recreational opportunities, and it becomes clear why seafarers are particularly vulnerable.
A study published in International Maritime Health highlights that seafarers face rates of depression and anxiety significantly higher than many land-based professions. The pressures of the job, separation from loved ones, and lack of mental health resources onboard all contribute to this heightened risk.
Yet mental health is often invisible. Symptoms like fatigue, irritability, or difficulty concentrating can be mistaken for simple tiredness or stress, while underlying causes go unaddressed. Without proper support, these issues can worsen, impacting not only individual wellbeing but also safety onboard and job performance.
Physical Health: More Than Muscle and Bone
Physical health challenges for seafarers are well documented. The nature of their work—handling heavy machinery, performing repetitive tasks, or working in extreme weather—puts strain on muscles and joints. Prolonged periods of inactivity during long voyages can also lead to cardiovascular problems, obesity, and other lifestyle-related illnesses.
However, the physical and mental health of seafarers are not two separate spheres but deeply intertwined. Research shows that chronic physical pain can contribute to depression and anxiety, while mental health disorders can worsen physical conditions. This reciprocal relationship forms a cycle that can be difficult to break without comprehensive care.
For example, a seafarer experiencing chronic back pain may find the discomfort leads to poor sleep and increased stress, which in turn exacerbates the pain. Without attention to both physical and psychological needs, recovery and wellbeing remain out of reach.
Real-Life Stories Reveal the Link
Marine Medical Solutions (MMS), a healthcare provider specializing in seafarer wellbeing, has encountered numerous cases illustrating this connection.
In one instance, a seafarer reported persistent headaches and hand pain. Upon deeper investigation, MMS discovered that the physical symptoms were linked to dissatisfaction and stress related to his onboard duties. Addressing his mental wellbeing through counseling and workload adjustments significantly improved his physical symptoms.
In another case, a seafarer showing signs of depression took medical leave, which allowed doctors to uncover an underlying thyroid disorder affecting his mood and energy. Treating the physical condition was a turning point in his mental health recovery.
These cases highlight how physical ailments and mental health are often two sides of the same coin—underscoring the importance of integrated healthcare approaches.
The Science Behind the Connection
Scientific literature confirms what many in the maritime community intuitively understand. Physical activity, nutrition, sleep quality, and social interaction all play key roles in supporting mental health.
Regular exercise promotes the release of endorphins—natural chemicals in the brain that relieve stress and improve mood. Balanced nutrition supports brain function and energy levels. Sufficient rest and recovery help regulate emotional responses and cognitive functioning.
Conversely, stress and anxiety can manifest physically—raising blood pressure, causing digestive issues, and increasing the risk of heart disease. Without addressing mental stress, physical health declines; without attention to physical health, mental resilience suffers.
Holistic Approaches: The Way Forward
The evolving understanding of seafarer wellbeing calls for a holistic approach to care—one that integrates physical health, mental health, lifestyle, and social support. Many shipping companies and maritime organizations are beginning to adopt wellness programs that include:
- Regular physical fitness routines: Exercise classes or equipment onboard to encourage activity even during long voyages.
- Mental health support: Access to counseling services, telemedicine consultations, and peer support groups to reduce stigma and offer help.
- Nutrition improvements: Better meal planning to provide balanced diets that support physical and mental energy.
- Sleep hygiene education: Programs to optimize rest despite irregular shift patterns.
- Social connection: Encouraging communication with family and fostering camaraderie onboard to combat isolation.
A study in Maritime Policy & Management suggests that such integrated programs lead to fewer accidents, improved morale, and reduced turnover—benefiting both seafarers and the companies that rely on them.
A Call to Action
Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, yet their wellbeing is too often taken for granted. Understanding and supporting the complex relationship between their physical and mental health is not just compassionate—it is essential for industry safety and efficiency.
By prioritizing holistic care, the maritime community can create an environment where seafarers thrive, despite the challenges of life at sea. This means recognizing that caring for their health is an ongoing journey—one that requires resources, awareness, and commitment from shipowners, managers, and health providers alike.
Sources
- International Maritime Health, various studies on seafarer mental and physical wellbeing
- Maritime Policy & Management, research on workplace wellness programs in shipping
- Marine Medical Solutions (MMS) case reports and clinical insights, 2023-2024
- World Maritime University reports on seafarer health and safety initiatives
Under the Radar: The Hidden World of Maritime Scams
From forged fishing boat registrations to high-seas cyber heists, maritime fraud is a vast, intricate network that mines the sea’s complexities. Here’s a 1,000‑word deep dive into this shadow world—how it began, how it works, and how the industry fights back.
A History Under the Surface
Maritime fraud isn’t new. In 1979, the supertanker Salem (formerly South Sun) was scuttled off Senegal after misleading financiers over its cargo and arrival, in a brazen insurance fraud that eventually reached the UK House of Lords (Bowman’s Law). More recently, the Brillante Virtuoso was allegedly hijacked in 2011 by false pirates to cash in on a $77 million insurance policy—leading to tragic consequences including the assassination of investigator David Mockett (Wikipedia).
These early crimes showed how fraudulent maritime operations exploit vessel complexity, geographic opacity, and cross-border legal gaps.
Why Scams Target Ships
Ships and ports operate within a knot of legal systems—flags of convenience, multiple national jurisdictions, and cryptic ownership structures. Fraud exploits these gaps. Margins can be vast and oversight minimal, especially for remote or aging vessels. And in the case of illicit maritime actors (e.g., Russia’s “shadow fleet”), sanctions avoidance via shell companies compounds risk (Financial Times).
The Mechanics: From Paper to Piracy
A) Document Fraud & Vessel Recycling
In Gujarat, India, 154 scrapped fishing boats were fraudulently re-registered as new to secure loans and fuel subsidies—using forged purchase invoices and shell companies (SAFETY4SEA). Such scams pose safety and security risks, enabling undocumented vessels to sail unmonitored.
B) Insurance & Salvage Fraud
The Salem and Brillante Virtuoso highlight how owners orchestrate sinkings or attacks for payouts (The Times of India, Bowman’s Law). Corrupt salvage contracts (“No Cure, No Pay”) can also drive staged breakdowns—with kickbacks fueling complicity.
C) Cargo & Charter Party Fraud
False bills of lading disguise illegal cargo or phantom shipments, enabling smuggling (Vanity Fair, Maritime Fairtrade). Equally, “charter party fraud” involves fake vessel availability and deposit-taking schemes, leaving charterers stranded.
D) Extortion & Human Scams
In a particularly insidious variant, families of Indian seafarers received fake calls claiming their loved ones were arrested— then extorted for ransom (Tradewinds News). This preyed on fear and distance, manipulating isolated communities.
E) Cybercrime at Sea
Increased connectivity brought cyber threats. Maersk suffered in 2017’s devastating NotPetya attack, which hit over $300 million in losses and crippled operations (Wikipedia). Others saw phishing scams trick yacht brokers into losing €58,000 (Insurance Business America). Cybercriminals can spoof AIS signals or spoof invoices, adding a modern twist to maritime fraud .
Global Scale and Impact
The International Maritime Bureau estimated maritime fraud losses at $1.3 billion in 2020 alone (Number Analytics). Victims range from small operators in South Asia to large insurers, with significant insurance premium hikes, legal costs, and reputational damage (Number Analytics).
Fraud isn’t isolated—it undermines trust, inflates costs, and destabilizes shipping norms globally.
Tackling Maritime Fraud
International Rulebooks
Laws like UNCLOS, SOLAS, and IMO conventions exist but often clash in enforcement (The Insurance Universe, Number Analytics). National acts like the US Maritime Transportation Security Act offer tools but need consistent application.
Tech Enforcement
Blockchain for cargo tracking can authenticate bills of lading; AI-powered systems can detect AIS spoofing and log anomalies (Number Analytics, Maritime Fairtrade). Cyber defenses against ransomware and phishing are growing priorities .
Audits and Due Diligence
Regular charter and vessel inspections, cargo checks, and shipping audits help. Crew vetting, registration verification, and financial scrutiny of parties builds resilience.
Collaboration
Between insurers, ports, enforcement agencies, and tech providers, sharing intel is key (The Insurance Universe). Industry watchdogs like IMB and associations encourage whistleblower policies.
Legal Measures
Prosecution of vessel scuttling (Salem), piracy-fraud (Brillante Virtuoso), and sanctions evasion (shadow fleet) demonstrate enforcement, though they often span years and borders (Wikipedia, Bowman’s Law).
Case Studies at a Glance
Salem Scuttling (1979)
Egypt’s Salem scuttled near Senegal after dumping cargo to defraud financiers. Crew arrested after packing belongings—too prepared to be accidental .
Brillante Virtuoso (2011)
A staged pirate raid involving Yemeni “coast guards” destroyed a tanker before salvors intervened. Suspected insurance fraud, assassination of investigator .
Gujarat Fishing Boat Scam (2022–25)
Shell firms and fake GST invoices enabled 150+ scrapped boats to register as new—risking illegal cross-border use and national security (The Times of India).
Shadow Fleet Insurance Fraud
Norwegian prosecutors charged insurers of shadow fleet tankers for issuing fraudulent policies to Russian-linked vessels avoiding sanctions (Financial Times).
Brokerage Phishing Scam
Yacht broker lost €58,000 to a spoofed email request around Mediterranean charter transaction (Insurance Business America).
Why It Matters
Maritime fraud isn’t victimless—it disrupts supply chains, inflates costs, threatens environmental safety (from unregistered vessels), and hampers global trade. For developing economies, scams undercut seafarer rights and livelihoods .
Rising digital dependency amplifies risk: cyber scams can commandeer vessels, extort operators, or hide illicit activity.
Charting a Better Course
The solution isn’t one-dimensional:
- Harmonizing regs across flags and jurisdictions
- Embedding digital ledgers and AI monitoring in operations
- Strengthening training, compliance audits, and staff awareness
- Fostering cross-sector collaboration—public, private, NGOs
- Empowering seafarers to report fraud safely
Together, these form a robust defense—showing maritime isn’t just the domain of tides, but of trust.
Final Thoughts
Maritime scams—ancient as the shipping lanes themselves— have evolved into multifaceted threats spanning physical dupe, cyber lure, and legal chicanery. Their effects ripple through economies, laws, and seafarers’ lives.
Yet, as fraud becomes more complex, so does our response: with data, tech, global coordination, and vigilance, maritime can reclaim its tide—turning scams into cautionary tales rather than systemic breakdowns.
The sea may be deep, but transparency and resilience run deeper still.
Sources
- Salem scuttling: Bowmans Law (Bowman’s Law)
- Brillante Virtuoso insurance fraud: Wikipedia (Wikipedia)
- Gujarat boat scam: Times of India (Tradewinds News)
- Shadow fleet fraud: Safety4Sea (SAFETY4SEA)
- Maritime fraud losses: IMB data (Number Analytics)
- Cargo and charter party fraud: Maritime Fairtrade (Maritime Fairtrade)
- Extortion scam: TradeWinds (Tradewinds News)
- Cyber risks: Arxiv & Maersk hack (Wikipedia)
- Yacht phishing: Insurance Business (The Insurance Universe)
- Prevention: Ordinance Guide (The Insurance Universe)
Charging Ahead: How GAME Is Steering Maritime Toward an Electric Horizon
The maritime world—responsible for over 80% of global trade—is on the brink of a quiet revolution. Behind the scenes of bustling ports and under the hulls of workboats and ferries, a new alliance is emerging: the Global Alliance for Maritime Electrification (GAME). Launched by four forward thinking maritime associations, GAME is determined to fast-track the electrification of inland, nearshore, and commercial vessels. And with over 250 organizations now collaborating under its banner, this alliance could be the spark the industry needs.
Why GAME Matters Now
Though ocean-going vessels often dominate the climate conversation, the maritime sector includes a wealth of smaller ships operating closer to shore—workboats, ferries, supply vessels. These make up the majority of the global fleet and present a prime opportunity for electrification¹.
GAME’s members—the International Electric Marine Association (IEMA), Zero Emission Ship Technology Association (ZESTA), Maritime Battery Forum (MBF), and European Onshore Power Supply Association (EOPSA)—joined forces in Amsterdam during the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo in June 2025². Their mission is bold yet grounded: accelerate real, actionable transitions to zero-emission marine transport by aligning research, policy and infrastructure.
“We see tremendous potential to fast-track zero-emission solutions for the world’s workboats, ferries, and passenger vessels,” said IEMA President Adria Jover³. What makes GAME unique is its collective weight: with more than 250 member organizations globally, the alliance offers a unified voice where previously existed fragmentation.
Key Obstacles Game Plans to Dismantle
GAME identifies three major barriers to marine electrification:
1. Policy Fragmentation
Regulations around electric vessels vary widely by country and port. GAME’s aim is to harmonize standards and lobbying efforts, giving investors confidence in stable frameworks.
2. Infrastructure Gaps
Without shore power (“cold ironing”) and reliable charging systems, even the most electric-capable vessels can’t compete. EOPSA President Roland Teixeira emphasizes that onshore power supply is one of the “most immediate tools in the decarbonization toolbox”⁴.
3. Underfunded R&D
Collaboration among GAME’s organizations—and their collective membership—is designed to catalyze shared technical roadmaps and pooled research funding.
Their approach rests on three pillars: industry representation, R&D collaboration, and policy advocacy.
A Global Reach and Local Impact
GAME isn’t limiting its ambitions to Europe. The alliance plans to craft joint position papers and expand engagement in North America, India, China, and the South Pacific². This global strategy is vital: empowering regions already investing in green maritime tech, like inland waterways in the Midwest U.S., coastal ferries in Scandinavia, and supplying vessels in Southeast Asia, amplifies GAME’s impact.
Their emphasis on inland and nearshore vessels is no accident—they are easier to electrify using current battery tech and nearby infrastructure than the massive transoceanic ships⁵.
How GAME Plans to Make Waves
1. Position Papers & Thought Leadership
With collective expertise, GAME aims to influence regulators like IMO, ISO, and national agencies, presenting unified arguments for electric marine transport.
2. Collaborative R&D
Technical standard-setting—especially around battery safety, power architecture, and vessel integration—is fundamental. MBF Managing Director Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker said, “Batteries are key enablers of zero-emission transport, but they must work in concert with other clean technologies”⁶.
3. Push for Infrastructure
EOPSA’s focus on onshore power and electrical connections is critical. GAME envisions ports equipped with universal electric charging and standard contracts offering reliable revenue for port operators.
4. Global Campaigns
By coordinating advocacy in key regions, GAME aims to support national policies, funding and standards, as well as incentivize early adopters.
Why GAME’s Timing is Right
Several factors align to make GAME’s emergence timely:
- Regulatory Drivers: The IMO passed net-zero shipping mandates in April 2025, setting clear directional policy⁷.
- Market Opportunity: A surge in green investment has followed: batteries, electric ferries, and hybrid workboats are gaining interest and small-scale proof points indicate maturity.
- Urban & Port Pollution Concerns: Communities across Europe, Asia, and North America are vocal about reducing air pollution near ports— electrification directly addresses this.
Early Success Stories
Leading examples highlight GAME’s practical impact:
- In Singapore, a consortium led by Kuok Maritime Group is trialing the country’s largest electric supply boat and building multi-modal charging hubs. Each trip is projected to reduce 0.5 tonnes of CO₂—an annual cut of 9,000 tonnes for just 600 daily trips⁸.
- In Amsterdam, electric-powered passenger ferries and workboats already operate, powered by shore- based electricity—foreshadowing GAME’s model applied globally.
Could GAME Change the Course?
If GAME fulfills its mission, it will create a blueprint for other maritime sectors—including shipping, oversized vessels, and offshore platforms—to follow. By targeting the most electrification-ready fleets first, GAME accelerates the journey toward broader decarbonisation, catalyzed through scaled proof-of-concepts and organized advocacy.
Verdict: A Turning Point at the Helm
The formation of GAME signals a decisive shift—collective influence once scattered across associations is now unified under a common goal. By addressing policy, infrastructure, and R&D in tandem, and grounding action in early adopters, the alliance can move from aspiration to implementation. As dry docks fill with electric ferries and shore power hums silently at international terminals, GAME’s blueprint could become the maritime norm. What began in Amsterdam in mid-2025 may be remembered as the launchpad for a genuine green marine transport revolution—proof that electrification isn’t just possible, it’s happening now.
Sources of Information
- “The Global Alliance for Maritime Electrification (GAME) is born,” electrive.com en.wikipedia.org+12electrive.com+12Electric Hybrid Expo 2025+12gmacenter.org+2PaxOcean Group of Shipyards+2en. wikipedia.org+2Cruising World+1MFAME Guru+1
- “Are you GAME? Global maritime organizations unite to accelerate electrification,” Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo Europe 2025 Cruising World+5Electric Hybrid Expo 2025+5Maritime Executive+5
- “Four maritime associations form alliance to advance maritime electrification,” Ship-Technology.com Ship Technology+1Marine Business+1
- “Maritime nonprofits launch Global Alliance to drive vessel electrification,” Cruising World Cruising World
- “Maritime electrification alliance launched,” Marine Business Marine Business
- “Maritime Nonprofits Launch Global Alliance to Drive Vessel Electrification,” Cruising World Cruising World
- Electrive: noting IMO net-zero regs April 2025 electrive.com
- “Coastal Sustainability Alliance signs LOIs, showcases electric supply boat,” PaxOcean
Delayed Departure: The Maritime Industry’s Struggle Toward a Net- Zero and Digital Future
In the vast expanse of international waters, where over 80% of global trade silently sails, a different kind of turbulence brews. It’s not a storm that can be seen on satellite radars but one captured by a different kind of instrument: The Global Maritime Trends Barometer 2025, jointly published by Lloyd’s Register and Lloyd’s Register Foundation. Its findings serve as both a map and a mirror—highlighting just how far the maritime industry must travel to reach a net-zero and digitally evolved future.
The tone is clear: we are drifting, not sailing, toward sustainability and digital transformation. And the winds are not in our favour.
Barometers Point to Heavy Weather
This isn’t just another industry report padded with optimism. The Barometer breaks the maritime ecosystem into five components—People, Ports, Vessels, Maritime Trade, and Energy—then measures their alignment with the goals of the energy and digital transitions. The results? A mosaic of delays and deficiencies.
In the energy transition, none of the five components have cracked even 35% alignment. Energy scores just 24%. In the digital domain, the picture is marginally brighter, yet still shadowed by inertia. Even the top performer—Energy—manages only 48% alignment.
The message? For all its might, the maritime industry is off-course.
People: The Crew Left Behind
It is not just the hardware—the ships, ports, or fuel systems—that are misaligned. The soft infrastructure, especially people, is the weakest link in both transitions.
Crews are expected to operate high-tech vessels running on alternative fuels like methanol and ammonia—but most have not been adequately trained. Similarly, the shift to digital ships and smart ports is slowed by a lack of cybersecurity awareness, insufficient digital literacy, and outdated training regimes. Add to that the longstanding gaps in gender representation and regional inclusion, and it’s clear: we cannot digitize or decarbonize without transforming the maritime workforce. Without investment in training, upskilling, and inclusion, the maritime energy and digital revolutions risk becoming hightech shells without operators.
Ports and Vessels: Anchored in the Past
Ports, the beating hearts of maritime commerce, are lagging despite isolated bursts of innovation. A few smart ports and clusters are making strides with integrated systems and automated services, but most still operate in silos, burdened by legacy infrastructure and a lack of stakeholder coordination. Yet there is a glimmer of movement. The report notes a strong growth rate in smart port adoption—a signal that the tide may be turning.
Vessels, on the other hand, show more tangible signs of transition. Orders for alternative-fuel ships surged by 50% in 2024, a promising figure that belies the reality: these new ships are still a minority in a global fleet largely dependent on fossil fuels. Even dual-fuel ships often remain reliant on diesel, as green fuel infrastructure and storage systems lag behind.
Fossil Fuels: Still the Main Cargo
Despite net-zero targets and decarbonisation declarations, the industry remains deeply tethered to fossil fuels. Seaborne trade in oil, gas, and coal remains robust—propped up by geopolitical tensions, a post-pandemic consumption surge, and the absence of global carbon pricing (outside the EU Emissions Trading Scheme).
There is talk of green corridors—dedicated emission-free shipping lanes—but few exist in practice. Without serious investment and international alignment, such corridors remain aspirational sketches rather than actionable routes.
The Digital Delay
The maritime world’s digital transformation is likewise sluggish. Even as LEO satellites like Starlink make high-speed shipboard internet a reality, most vessels use this capability for basic crew welfare—not operational optimization. Worse, many ships are saddled with fragmented legacy systems that resist integration. A reluctance to share operational data—either due to competitive secrecy or cybersecurity fears—means that even where tools exist, trust doesn’t. The lack of standardised protocols and interoperable platforms keeps the industry stuck in the analogue era, even as the rest of the logistics chain moves ahead.
Regulation: Rudderless or Ready?
The report notes that regulatory uncertainty is a major drag on industry action. Shipowners and port operators remain stuck in wait-and-see mode, hesitant to invest without clearer guidelines.
The upcoming 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in April 2025 could serve as a turning point, offering long-overdue clarity on:
- Global carbon pricing
- Incentives for zero-emission vessels
- International training standards
- Penalties for high-emission operations
If bold action is taken, the MEPC could be the rudder the industry needs to steer forward.
A Six-Point Reset: Recommendations
The report concludes with a roadmap to realign the sector:
- Regulatory Clarity & Incentives – Fast-track IMO decisions and global ETS expansion.
- Standardisation & Interoperability – Develop shared digital protocols and port systems.
- Investment in Green Fuels – Subsidise dual-fuel retrofits and green corridor development.
- Benchmarking Progress – Use the Barometer annually to track changes.
- Workforce Upskilling – Create global training standards via a Maritime Just Transition Task Force.
- Support Smart Ports – Fund collaborative port innovation and digitisation.
The Tide Must Turn
The Global Maritime Trends Barometer 2025 does not mince words. The industry is dangerously adrift—caught between ambition and inertia. The waters ahead are not calm, but the map is clearer than ever. The question is no longer what needs to be done—but whether there is the will to do it, together, at speed.
With 2050 fast approaching and the planet watching, the maritime world faces a choice: remain anchored in the past, or chart a bold, interconnected course toward a greener, smarter horizon.