INTERTANKO today announced the launch of its “Seafarers’ Initiative: Guidance for seagoing professionals moving ashore,” a comprehensive resource designed to support maritime professionals moving from sea to shore-based careers while helping employers better facilitate these critical career moves.

The 25-page guidance document addresses a significant gap in industry support for seafarers advancing their careers into shore-based roles. Many face unexpected challenges during this transition, with some returning to sea due to a lack of awareness of all the implications of a move ashore.

“Seafarers excel at sea, with their dedication to their roles, their professionalism and their first-class education,” said Venetia Kallipolitou, Chair of INTERTANKO’s Human Element in Shipping Committee and HR & Training Manager of Tsakos Shipping and Trading S.A. “The office ashore needs well-qualified and experienced seafarers to take on superintendent roles. This guidance aims to fill the gap and to attribute the importance needed by all in the industry.”

“Seafarers should not approach the move ashore blindly,” Kallipolitou emphasised. “Any decision taken by the seafarer must be undertaken with the wider interests of their family involved. I would like to thank all the Members who assisted in developing this guidance to help those seafarers prepare and ultimately give the companies the assistance they need in managing this key asset.”

The guidance has been made available to all by INTERTANKO members and represents a significant step forward in supporting the maritime industry’s human capital development, ensuring that valuable seagoing experience continues to enrich shore-based operations while providing seafarers with sustainable, rewarding career pathways.

INTERTANKO’s Seafarers’ Initiative, developed under the Chairmanship of Paolo d’Amico, is a multi-pronged approach to support recruitment, enhance training and assist in the continued professional development of maritime professionals. Mr d’Amico was present with the current INTERTANKO Chairman, Rolf Westfal-Larsen Jr., to witness and support the launch.

To download the guidance, visit: www.intertanko.com/images/topics-issues/human_element/2025/2025-professionals-to-shore-webv1.pdf