Geopolitical instability is putting seafarer welfare under pressure

Geopolitical instability is putting seafarer welfare under pressure
21 Oct 2026 https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1158745/Geopolitical-instability-is-putting...

SHIPPING has been made an instrument of geopolitical leverage, and seafarers are bearing the cost, says Dhananjay Das Podiyatvariyam, senior claims manager at London P&I. Discussing the impact of conflict and geopolitical instability on crew welfare in this podcast, he warns that seafarers trained to move cargo safely are being asked to operate in warlike conditions for which conventional maritime training cannot prepare them.

Seafarers are the backbone of the shipping industry, emphasises Victoria Papageorgiou, commercial director at London P&I: “It is a priority for all owners, whether it’s moving their assets, looking after their crew, the cost of the crew, the experience of the crew, the training of the crew. And this has become more challenging with the geopolitical situation across the globe,” she says.

“Along with immediate risk, seafarers face the uncertainty on board ship, not knowing whether or not it might be going into a high-risk area.”

In addition to the stresses of risk and uncertainty, Dhananjay — a former seafarer himself — notes that extra lookouts and higher manning requirements increase workloads and fatigue, while isolation from family removes an important source of reassurance. A seafarer charity supported by London P&I has recorded a 30% increase in mental health-related calls to its 24-hour helpline — an indication of the strain now being felt at sea.

Then there are alarming repatriation issues, when replacement crews cannot join safely or those who have completed their contracts cannot always travel home. Vessels in affected areas can run short of provisions or fresh water, and heating and electricity can become unreliable.

Meanwhile, familiar welfare problems are compounded by conflict and geopolitical instability, says Dhananjay — in particular the lack of shore leave. “There are port security requirements, there are immigration barriers, there are operational constraints”, all of which are taking a toll.

On board, seafarers live and work with the same 20 or so people day in, day out. Shore leave is the chance to step away from that: “You get a chance to go out, refresh yourself and you come back with absolutely boosted morale,” he says.

And crews feel the impact of a lack of shore leave. The Mission to Seafarers’ latest Seafarers Happiness Index scores shore leave satisfaction at only 5.72 out of 10, the lowest of any category.

Victoria identifies three priorities for owners: training, support and welfare. Their focus, she says, is on making the onboard environment as safe and welcoming as possible.

Reliable communications help seafarers stay connected with their families, while good nutrition, healthcare and onboard facilities make ships safer and more liveable.

This matters because the welfare response could influence whether experienced and committed professionals remain at sea. Victoria warns: “You will have the risk of people going to sea, who are not interested in being there. Being a seafarer is not just about being on board a ship. It’s also that you care about a ship and that you care about the cargo and the environment. There’s a risk of either having a lack of seafarers in the future or the quality of seafarers in the industry suffers if it isn’t an inviting environment to be on board or to be part of the industry.”

Victoria and Dhananjay also discuss the role of a P&I club in supporting owners and seafarers, and why rapid intervention is vital when an incident occurs, even where the club is not providing war risk cover.