Seafarers Welfare Conference 2026: Strengthening Support for the People Who Power Global Trade

This week, industry leaders, welfare organisations, regulators and maritime stakeholders came together for the Seafarers Welfare Conference 2026, hosted by Mission to Seafarers Australia. The event provided an important platform to spotlight the wellbeing of seafarers an issue central to the safety, stability, and resilience of the global maritime sector.

ISA was represented by Anna Jerrems, Industry Engagement Manager for Maritime, which will provide ISA with valuable insight into seafarers lived experiences, highlighted emerging welfare pressures, strengthened partnerships across the sector, and reinforced the importance of embedding welfare considerations into long‑term workforce planning. These insights will help guide ISA’s ongoing program of work, in particular with workforce development. 

Why Seafarer Welfare Matters

A key message reinforced throughout the conference was that seafarer wellbeing is inseparable from maritime safety and operational reliability. Supported, healthy crews are safer crews, and wellbeing has a measurable impact on vessel operations, emergency response capability, crew retention, and the overall performance of global supply chains.

 Welfare organisations continue to play a crucial frontline role, offering practical assistance such as transport, SIM cards and shore‑leave support, alongside mental and emotional care, trauma‑informed responses, spiritual support and emergency services. As vessel turnaround times tighten and pressures on crews grow, these services are more vital than ever.

 Delegates also highlighted ongoing challenges affecting seafarer wellbeing, including limited access to medical treatment, barriers to shore leave, inconsistent connectivity, increasing mental health pressures and gaps in emergency support. Ensuring crews can reliably access these essential services remains a key priority for the sector.

A Call for Collaboration

A strong theme throughout the conference was the need for greater collaboration. Seafarer welfare challenges are complex and interconnected, requiring coordinated action from industry, regulators, ship owners, port communities, and NGOs. While there was a clear collective commitment to improving welfare outcomes, lasting success will depend on continued partnership and sustained focus across the entire sector.

 The Seafarers Welfare Conference 2026 highlighted both progress and the ongoing work required to better support the seafarers who power global trade. With insights gained through ISA participation, we can be well placed to strengthen workforce planning efforts and identify areas to support improved welfare outcomes across the maritime industry.

To see more about ISA Maritime Projects, view them here.