2026 Crew Welfare Week: Seafarer wellbeing at the core of safer and more resilient shipping

June 25 ------ The 6th annual Crew Welfare Week is taking place from 23 to 25 June 2026, focusing on how to advance crew welfare for a safer, stronger maritime future.

Held during the last week of June, the event coincided with the Day of the Seafarer. This year’s IMO theme focused on highlighting the hardship, pressure and risks of life at sea, especially in high-risk and conflict-affected areas, while underscoring seafarers’ essential role in keeping global trade moving.

The message was particularly timely, as too many seafarers around the world continue to sail through areas affected by conflict and geopolitical tension. Many face long periods at sea, uncertainty over when they will return home, and limited communication with their families. While operating in dangerous waters, seafarers should never become unintended victims of wider geopolitical conflict.

Opening the event with a strong message for this special day, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said: "Every ship carries more than cargo; it carries people with families waiting for them at home. Seafarers spend long months at sea, facing isolation, fatigue and the stress of operating in unpredictable conditions, while continuing to deliver the goods, energy and supplies that the whole world relies upon. To all seafarers, thank you," In alignment with this message and highlighting that safety and welfare remain among the industry’s highest priorities, more than 50 distinguished maritime experts shared their insights and practical recommendations on how to better support life at sea.

Participants acknowledged the progress the industry has made in establishing standards for the living and working conditions of seafarers. Through panel discussions, presentations and best-practice videos, they delivered strong messages advocating for a holistic approach to crew wellness and wellbeing, with the aim of embracing a stronger Culture of Care across the maritime industry.

The event was organized by SAFETY4SEA having MacGregor & SQE MARINE as lead sponsors. Other event sponsors were: Agwa, Alpha Bulkers Shipmanagement Inc., Alpha Gas S.A., Arcadia Shipmanagement Co. Ltd., Capital Containers Ship Management Corp., Capital Gas Ship Management Corp., Capital Ship Management Corp., Circle Digital Ventures, Columbia Group, Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila) Inc., Dorian LPG, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED), Health4Crew, I.M.A. Assessment and Training Center Inc., Latsco Shipping Limited, OneCare Group, Pantheon Tankers Management Ltd., RiSK4SEA, SEAFiT, Sun Enterprises Ltd, UK P&I Club, V.Group.

Furthermore, the event was supported by the following organizations: Australian Mariners Welfare Society (AMWS), European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Institute of Marine Engineering Science & Technology (IMarEST), International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC), ISWAN, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), The Maritime League, The Nautical Institute, The Nautical Institute – Philippines Branch, PAEPI Global, Royal Institution – Singapore, Seafarers’ Hospital Society, WISTA Hellas.

Apo Belokas, Managing Editor of SAFETY4SEA, stated: "We’re proud to host this initiative for the fifth consecutive year, and it’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come since our first event in 2021. Our goal remains clear: to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and promote meaningful improvements in crew welfare, so that we can help create a safer, smarter, more inclusive, and more sustainable maritime industry." He continued: “Behind every vessel are seafarers who continue to perform their duties under challenging conditions, often far from home and with limited control over the risks around them. This is a strong reminder that crew welfare is not an abstract concept. It is a real and daily responsibility, especially during periods of crisis, disruption, and heightened security risk.’’

This is why SAFETY4SEA, he explained, continues to advocate for internet access as a basic human right at sea, a cause that everyone can support through the petition available on SEAFiT website. "We have also launched the 2026 SEAFiT Crew Survey, with the support of The NorthStandard, aiming to help establish a meaningful benchmark for crew welfare across the industry. We encourage everyone to take part, get involved, and make their voice heard," Apo Belokas concluded.

Source: safety4sea.com