2026 Crew Welfare Awards: Keeping crew welfare at the heart of industry progress

June 27 ------ The recipients of the 2026 Crew Welfare Awards, organized by SAFETY4SEA, were announced during a virtual ceremony held as part of this year’s Crew Welfare Week.

Over the past five years, the Crew Welfare Awards have become a benchmark for recognizing excellence in crew wellbeing and wellness across the maritime industry. This year’s awards come at a pivotal moment. Recent tensions in the Middle East have once again highlighted the realities faced by seafarers operating in high-risk regions and the urgent need for meaningful action.

Thousands remain stranded, exposed not only to physical danger but also to prolonged psychological strain. While efforts continue to address safety and operational challenges, there is growing recognition that mental health and wellbeing must be treated as immediate priorities. Life at sea has always demanded resilience, with long periods away from home and challenging working conditions shaping the profession. Against this backdrop, the industry’s commitment to crew welfare has never been more important.

Apo Belokas, Managing Editor of SAFETY4SEA, commented: "At SAFETY4SEA, we firmly believe that seafarers are at the heart of global shipping, and their wellbeing must become an integral part of everyday maritime culture and leadership practice. A comprehensive and human-centered approach to crew welfare is essential for building a more attractive, sustainable, and resilient shipping industry. These awards, which have become a benchmark for recognizing excellence in crew wellbeing and wellness across the maritime industry, showcase significant achievements while keeping crew welfare at the heart of our industry’s progress,” he added.

The recipients of the 2026 Crew Welfare Virtual Awards are:

Bahri Ship Management received the 2026 Crew Welfare Tanker Operator Award for its strong investment in leadership development and onboard training. Dedicated Safety Training Officers regularly visit vessels to deliver hands-on coaching focused on safe work practices, leadership behaviors and emergency preparedness.

Other short-listed nominees of this category were: Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), Capital Ship Management Corp., Fleet Management Limited, LSC SIA and OSM Thome.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winning organization, Capt. Yasser Hashem, Fleet Personnel Director, Bahri Ship Management said: "At Bahri Ship Management, we believe that taking care of our seafarers is not only an operational priority, but also a responsibility we carry across the company. Our workforce is at the center of everything we do, and this recognition reflects the collective effort of our seafarers, shore teams, and leadership."

Bahri Ship Management (BSM) places seafarer welfare at the heart of safe and reliable tanker operations. With a diverse workforce of more than 4,600 seafarers, BSM supports a people-centered culture across its global fleet. In 2025, the company achieved zero fatalities and zero oil spills, reflecting its strong commitment to safety and continuous improvement. Through onboard coaching, leadership development, and behavior-based safety initiatives, BSM empowers crews to identify risks and strengthen safety culture. Digital monitoring and advanced analytics support crews with better visibility, predictive insights, and reduced administrative workload.

By investing in training, career progression, and global cadet opportunities, BSM helps develop the next generation of maritime professionals. “With more than 5,000 seafarers from over 58 nationalities sailing across our fleet, we continue to focus on building a safe, supportive, and inclusive work environment through a strong safety culture, training, leadership development, and continuous crew engagement.”, Capt. Yasser Hashem added.

Berge Bulk received the 2026 Crew Welfare Dry Bulk Operator Award for its strong focus on crew welfare and wellbeing. The company has implemented a Psychological First Aid (PFA) program as part of its comprehensive mental health strategy, providing support to seafarers facing high-stress situations at sea.

Other short-listed nominees of this category were: Angelakos (Hellas) Sa, Anglo American Shipping Pte Ltd, Carras Hellas S.A., Harren Group and ORION Bulkers.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winning organization, Rajmohan Venkiteswaran, Head of Marine HR, Berge Bulk, said: "At Berge Bulk, we know that safe and efficient operations start with people. We fully understand that seafarers spend long periods away from home and often work in demanding conditions. Supporting their wellbeing is not optional; it is essential. That is why we invest in practical crew support, including psychological first aid, training, care buddies onboard every vessel, mental health resources, and wellbeing initiatives that help our people stay connected and supported at sea."

Berge Bulk places mental wellbeing at the center of its crew welfare efforts. Through its Psychological First Aid program, Berge Bulk supports seafarers facing stress, isolation, and emotional challenges onboard. The program trains volunteer crew members as Care Buddies, helping them recognize signs of distress and offer peer support. With more than 320 Care Buddies trained across the fleet, Berge Bulk is building a stronger support network onboard. In collaboration with Well@Sea, the company provides practical tools to help crews respond to mental health challenges with care and confidence.

By promoting active listening, early support, and professional guidance, Berge Bulk fosters a safer and more resilient shipboard environment. “This award reflects the commitment of teams across the organization, including Marine HR, Masters, Officers, crew, and colleagues ashore, who work together every day to build a stronger and more supportive culture onboard our vessels. Most importantly, we thank our seafarers and their families.”, Rajmohan Venkiteswaran added.

MAGSAYSAY received the 2026 Crew Welfare Crew Manager Award for MATTERS, its integrated crew welfare framework supporting over 70,000 Filipino seafarers worldwide. The program empowers seafarers through safety, lifelong learning, career development, and family-centered support.

Other short-listed nominees of this category were: Columbia Group, Navilands Bulker Management Ltd., Sea Power Shipping S.A. and Wallem Group.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winning organization, Arnold B. Javier, President, Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, said: "At Magsaysay, welfare has always been rooted in one belief: when seafarers are cared for holistically, not only as professionals but as people, they become safer, stronger, and more resilient, both at sea and ashore."

Magsaysay’s MATTERS (Magsaysay Total Enrichment & Resilience System) framework reflects a holistic commitment to seafarers, their families, and the shore-based teams who support them. The program supports more than 70,000 Filipino seafarers across every stage of their journey at sea and ashore. MATTERS brings together welfare, training, digital access, and resilience-building to create a stronger support system for crews worldwide. Digital tools such as MWorld and JumpIn make crew services, training, and certification more accessible and efficient. MATTERS also promotes mental and emotional resilience through open conversations, wellness initiatives, and practical support.

By supporting seafarers as both professionals and people, Magsaysay shows that every seafarer’s wellbeing truly matters. "Our integrated welfare framework, the Magsaysay Total Enrichment and Resilience System for Mates, supports thousands of seafarers worldwide through programs focused on safety, continuous learning, mental wellness, digital accessibility, career growth, and family-centered support. But more than the systems and programs, this recognition truly belongs to our seafarers and their families,” Arnold B. Javier added.

Inmarsat Maritime received the 2026 Crew Welfare Service Provider Award for its ‘Inmarsat Cares’ campaign, built on the principle that shipping’s most important asset is its people. By investing in initiatives that enable seafarers to stay connected and amplify their voices, the campaign contributes to a more human-centric maritime industry.

Other short-listed nominees of this category were: AP Companies, Circle Digital Ventures (CircleDV), Health4Crew, IMEQ Center, Nordic Medical Clinic.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winning organization, Tor Høksås, Business Development and Innovation Manager, Inmarsat Maritime, said: "We started Inmarsat Cares with a simple belief: that shipping’s most important asset is its people. Today, connectivity is rightly considered a basic human right, and we want to make sure that everyone working at sea has reliable access to it. Through solutions like NexusWave, we aim to help seafarers stay close to the people who matter in their lives, manage life back home, and feel a little less alone during long voyages."

Also, Melanie Ellison, Marketing Manager Inmarsat Maritime, stated: "Inmarsat Cares has always been about more than technology. It is about listening to seafarers and making sure their voices are heard across our channels, so they can be part of the wider conversations shaping our sector. We want to thank all the crew who shared their stories with us. We would also like to thank our colleagues and partners who believe, as we do, in a more human-centered maritime world. We are proud of what Inmarsat Cares has achieved, and even more excited about what comes next."

At sea, connection is more than convenience; it is a lifeline. Inmarsat Cares puts seafarers at the heart of shipping’s digital future. By supporting reliable onboard connectivity, the campaign helps crews stay close to family, manage life back home, and feel less isolated during long voyages. Through NexusWave, seafarers can access high-speed, secure, and unlimited connectivity wherever their work takes them. Inmarsat Cares also gives seafarers a stronger voice, sharing their real experiences and bringing their challenges to the attention of the wider industry. Inmarsat Cares keeps seafarers connected, supported, and heard. Because a more connected crew is a more supported crew – and a more human-centric maritime industry starts with listening to its people.

The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) received the 2026 Crew Welfare Non- Profit Organization Award for its HelpDesk, a real-time escalation mechanism that allows seafarers and companies to safely report and resolve corrupt demands during port operations. The system applies a consistent operational framework while adapting to local regulatory and institutional contexts.

Other short-listed nominees of this category were: International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Sailors’ Society and The Nautical Institute.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winning organization, Kasper Nielsen, Lead – EMEA Region & Seafarer Engagement & HelpDesk, MACN, said: "Corruption is not only a compliance or cost issue; it is also a crew welfare issue. Every day, seafarers face demands for unofficial payments, arbitrary fines, or even threats of delay or detention if they reject these demands and stand their ground. These situations create enormous pressure and uncertainty, and they can affect both vessel safety and crew wellbeing."

MACN‘s HelpDesk provides real-time support to seafarers and companies facing corrupt demands during port operations. Through confidential reporting and immediate escalation, the HelpDesk helps resolve incidents safely and efficiently. The initiative reduces the pressure on seafarers, helping protect them from stress, harassment, and direct confrontation. By supporting thousands of vessels across high-risk locations, MACN’s HelpDesk demonstrates a practical model for tackling maritime corruption. Its data-driven approach helps identify recurring risks and supports stronger transparency and accountability in port operations.

Through collective action and public-private collaboration, MACN promotes safer, fairer, and more predictable working conditions for seafarers. “The Help Desk has helped thousands of vessels prepare for port calls and has supported the resolution of more than 200 corruption incidents. More importantly, it has helped protect seafarers in these situations, while preventing delays and associated costs,” Kasper Nielsen added.

Hafnia received the 2026 Crew Welfare Diversity & Inclusion Award for its support of diverse and inclusive crewing through the development of the Hafnia Culture Lab. This initiative began with a two-vessel test bed and has since expanded to a dedicated pool of nine vessels, where crews are maintained at approximately 50% women.

Other short-listed nominees of this category were: Ardmore Shipping, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), OneCare Group and WISTA International.

Accepting the award on behalf of the winning organization, Shivas Kapoor, General Manager – Head of Crewing, Hafnia, said: "The Hafnia Cultural Lab began as a proof of concept across two vessels and has since expanded to a dedicated pool of nine vessels, which now operate under the new global normal. From the beginning, our ambition was to better understand, from both a cultural and leadership perspective, what it takes to create an environment at sea where people can thrive professionally and personally in a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace."

Hafnia promotes inclusive crewing as a driver of safer, stronger, and more sustainable vessel operations. Through the Hafnia Culture Lab, the company is testing how mixed-gender crews can thrive under real operating conditions.

The initiative began with two vessels and has expanded to a dedicated pool of nine vessels, with crews maintained at approximately 50% women. The Culture Lab is built on equal expectations for competence, qualifications, and performance across all onboard roles. Early findings show stronger communication, improved cohesion, and a more open speaking-up culture onboard mixed-gender vessels. By embedding diversity into its crewing strategy, Hafnia shows how inclusion can support both seafarer wellbeing and operational excellence. "Our view at Hafnia is that diversity is not separate from operational excellence or fulfilling careers at sea. We believe that, when supported by strong leadership, governance, and consistent implementation, diversity becomes a driver of stronger teams, greater belonging, and better performance,” Shivas Kapoor added.

Meei Wong, CEO of Circle Digital Ventures, Co-Chair of All Aboard Alliance and former ship owner received the 2026 Crew Welfare Personality Award for building tools that empower seafarers directly. From safety technologies providing real-time protection and early warnings in high-risk environments to telemedicine and wellbeing services that give crew members access to medical and psychological support at sea, Meei tackles the real challenges of daily life for seafarers.

Accepting the award Meei Wong said: "I have been in shipping for about 20 years. I was privileged to become a young shipowner, and I still remember hiring my first crew. They became an extension of the company, and that was the first time I understood the responsibility of looking after them. Over the years, that responsibility became something much deeper, because when things become close and personal, they change you."

Meei Wong is a leader with over 20 years of global experience across shipping, investment and digital innovation. She began her career in the maritime sector before founding her own shipping company, building a fleet of modern vessels operating globally. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and is passionate about bringing greater focus to mental wellbeing in the maritime sector. She has held senior leadership roles at some of the world’s largest shipping companies, driving enterprise-wide transformation, setting strategic direction, overseeing growth portfolios and leading M&A across global markets. In parallel, she has served on boards across the shipping industry, international business councils and charitable foundations globally.

As the Co-Chair of the All Aboard Alliance, Global Maritime Forum, she advocates strongly for human sustainability in maritime and plays an active role in shaping industry-wide change. With experience built from working closely with seafarers and senior leadership, Meei brings a grounded, people-first perspective to the future of work and wellbeing at sea.

In 2024, she founded Circle Digital Ventures, a technology company to advance human sustainability in the maritime industry. It delivers digital solutions that enhance safety, financial autonomy, health and wellbeing for seafarers. She currently leads multiple ventures focused on rethinking how the industry supports seafarers – spanning fintech, digital health, mental wellbeing and safety technology.

“I still do not understand why life remains so difficult for many seafarers today. I do not understand why so much of our workforce still depends on charities for support. And I do not understand why, despite all the conversations around seafarers’ welfare, the data continues to show a decline in their wellbeing. But what I do understand is that those of us who can help have a responsibility to stand in the gap for them,” Meei Wong added.

Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, President of the World Maritime University, received the 2026 Crew Welfare Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership in advancing global maritime education and governance. Through championing initiatives that strengthen safety, governance, and professional development, he has made a significant contribution to the welfare of seafarers worldwide and to the promotion of humane and sustainable maritime practices.

Accepting the award Prof. Maximo Mejia said: "The majority of my career has focused on maritime law and policy, with an abiding belief in the importance of integrating wellbeing into administrative systems. Crew welfare is not separate from safety, efficiency, or sustainability; it is foundational to all three. Through education, research, and international cooperation, we must continue to strengthen policies and practices that protect the dignity, wellbeing, and professional development of seafarers worldwide."

Professor Maximo Q. Mejia is an accomplished global leader and scholar in Maritime Governance, Policy, and Administration. With over three decades of professional and academic experience, Professor Mejia is a passionate international advocate for the promotion of safe, secure, sustainable, and efficient shipping on clean oceans. Professor Mejia was appointed by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as the eighth President of the World Maritime University (WMU.

He is the first President from Asia and the first President who is a graduate of WMU. As the Chief Executive Officer, Professor Mejia oversees and directs the academic programs, operations, and administration of the University. During his tenure at WMU, Professor Mejia spearheaded the further development of the WMU PhD program in Maritime Affairs ensuring a cutting-edge curriculum and a growing number of doctoral students.

Professor Mejia is author/co-author of more than 70 published articles and book chapters and the editor/co-editor of 12 books. His multi-disciplinary research and teaching include maritime policy, maritime law, maritime labor law and policy, human factors, safety, and security-related issues. “Rapid technological growth must be matched by equally strong welfare measures for crews. We cannot embrace the future of shipping without securing a just transition for our seafarers. As President of WMU, it is both a privilege and a duty to support the advancement of global maritime education and to help ensure that the next generation of industry leaders carries the priority of crew welfare forward.”, Prof. Maximo Mejia added.

"We would like to congratulate all the winners and shortlisted nominees of this year’s awards. Through their initiatives, leadership and continued commitment, they are not only strengthening crew welfare, but also setting a powerful example for the entire maritime industry. Their efforts remind us that real progress is achieved when seafarers’ needs are addressed through practical, consistent and human-centered support," Apo Belokas stated.

Source: safety4sea.com