Maritime charities and industry leaders come together to discuss the importance of seafarer welfare and well-being as shipping embraces environmental, social, and governance goals.
Held as part of London International Shipping Week 2023, Sailors’ Society, Stella Maris, The Mission to Seafarers, and The Seafarers’ Charity are coming together to host a major industry conference on seafarer welfare and well-being. The Fishmongers’ Company are very kindly hosting the conference in their beautiful and historic grade ll* listed building, Fishmongers’ Hall, with its unrivaled riverside location, unique history, and rich architecture.
The event will open with remarks from the Chair, Julian Clark, Vice President & Senior Legal Advisor, Gard AS, and feature two different panels that will examine how crew welfare is vital as the shipping industry moves toward more sustainable, safe, and diverse operations.
The panel discussions will focus on two different themes. The first session will focus on how the maritime charities and industry can further collaborate to improve seafarer welfare. Graham Westgarth, Chairman V Group and President UK Chamber of Shipping, will deliver a keynote speech. The panel will include representatives from Thomas Miller, ISWAN, Gard, Navigator Gas, and The Mission to Seafarers.
The second session will discuss how, together, the maritime charities and industry can support an increasingly diverse workforce. Heidi Heseltine, Founder Diversity Study Group Ltd and CEO, Halcyon Recruitment, will deliver the keynote talk. This will be followed by a panel discussion that includes representatives from Sailors’ Society, Stella Maris, The Seafarers’ Charity, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, and Carisbrooke Shipping.
In a joint statement, Sailors’ Society CEO Sara Baade, Chief Executive Officer of Stella Maris, Tim Hill MBE, Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, The Revd Canon Andrew Wright, and Chief Executive of The Seafarers’ Charity Deborah Layde, said:
“Seafaring can be tough. This is why the world’s seafarers deserve decent working conditions and support for their welfare. Many shipping companies recognize this, but when they don’t, maritime welfare charities are often relied upon to step in and pick up the pieces. Everyone has a role to play, and the least we can do is ensure that seafarers are aware of the range of welfare support that is available to them. Through collaborating as maritime charities with ship owners and managers, P&I Clubs, flag states, legal firms, and supra-national bodies, we can ensure that the welfare and well-being of all seafarers and fishers remain in sharp focus. Working together with the wider industry, we can provide the world’s 1.9 million seafarers and their families with the support and empowerment they need.
“With many hundreds of years of experience between us, we also recognize that there is a need for change. New internet services will enable seafarers to access welfare support not just in port but at home and at sea too. We also recognize that more needs to be done to support not only the recruitment, but the retention, of women who choose a career at sea. Research has proven time and again that they have different welfare needs. And just because they are in the minority does not mean these needs should be ignored.”
