Inmarsat has published a new report focusing on the way technology can benefit crew safety, health and wellbeing at sea, at a moment when COVID-19 has exposed the welfare of seafarers to global scrutiny.
Welfare 2.0: How can the next generation of technology enable better crew safety, health and wellbeing at sea? report, has been prepared by consultancy Thetius. It follows an earlier Trade 2.0′ report focusing on the impact new technologies and start-ups can have on efficiency in vessel management.
When we first discussed this report last year with the author and the welfare organisations and charities we work closely with, none of us could have foreseen the impact that COVID-19 would have on the world, shipping, seafarers and their families, says Ronald Spithout, President, Inmarsat Maritime. However, even then, we all felt that safety and crew welfare was being left behind in the technology stakes and much more needed to be done to look at how it could help improve the lives of seafarers.
The new report explores the underlying factors affecting crew safety, welfare and learning, and highlights those companies working to address the pain points. It shows that, while the maritime industry prides itself that seafarer safety and welfare is its highest priority, lack of investment in the digitalised technologies benefiting worker welfare, particularly compared to investment in other sectors, undermines the narrative.
We are at a point in time when lack of shore leave, unplanned contract extensions, fear of job loss and separation from family are weighing heavily on seafarers worldwide, said Spithout. Technology cannot provide a silver bullet. However, its role is vital in embedding policies and practices to enhance safety and wellbeing on board. Data-based tools test what does and doesn’t work for the human element’ and track changes over time.
The new report also represents the first step in Welfare 2.0, Spithout adds. Inmarsat is already working towards the launch of a Crew Welfare Open Innovation Challenge’ with Shell Shipping and Maritime and Thetius which is a corporate startup collaboration programme aiming to promote and nurture digital crew wellbeing solutions.