On 26 March 2025 at the Singapore Maritime Week, the Global Maritime Forum launched a set of guidelines for more sustainable crewing practices in the maritime industry.
The Sustainable Crewing Guidelines present nine recommendations co-developed by the Global Maritime Forum’s All Aboard Alliance and 12 major shipping companies.
Based on extensive research and feedback from over 400 seafarers, the guidelines outline essential improvements in working conditions, including measures to prevent abuse and harassment, promote work-life balance, and enhance access to onboard facilities.
Each guideline includes key indicators to help seafarers, charterers, cargo owners and shipping companies evaluate how well a shipping company or vessel is aligned with each guideline.
As set out in the Global Maritime Press release, the nine sustainable crewing guidelines are as follows:
- Establish clear expectations of respectful and professional behaviour: Fostering respect and inclusion at both the company and crew levels is key to improving seafarer well-being and creating a positive work environment.
- Zero tolerance for abuse and harassment: Ensuring psychological safety onboard requires a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour that is supported by clear consequences and robust reporting systems.
- Set rank-specific criteria for tasks, training, and appraisals: Clear and transparent criteria are essential to ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for all seafarers regardless of gender, age, and/or nationality.
- Ensure appropriate equipment and facilities for all: Providing all seafarers access to proper equipment and facilities is vital for their safety, well-being, and job performance – this should include personal protective equipment that fits all body sizes, gender-separated facilities, and basic hygiene products that are readily available on board for everybody.
- Provide a reliable daily connection to the wider world: Staying connected with the wider world supports seafarers’ mental health, well-being, and job satisfaction. Currently, around 13% of vessels globally offer no internet access at all, while others charge seafarers to access onboard Wi-Fi. Crew members have also reported high dissatisfaction with their amount of shore leave.
- Reduce isolation by building supportive communities: Support networks and mentorship opportunities help seafarers feel less isolated and stressed.
- Offer flexible contract lengths and respect contract terms: Companies must honour work agreements, avoid short-notice contract extensions/terminations, and alleviate the pressure seafarers feel to work excessive hours and/or spend too long at sea.
- Provide paid parental leave: Over 90% of seafarers state that good parental benefits are important to them. Being pregnant or having family responsibilities at home should not prevent seafarers from making a living at sea.
- Continuously collect feedback and take action: Actively listening to seafarers and demonstrating a commitment to change builds trust and creates a more inclusive, supportive working environment.
Read the full Sustainable Crewing Guidelines report here.