Seafarer welfare is declining as tech advances increase pressure, warns Steven Jones of the Seafarers Happiness Index.
As technological advancements accelerate in the international maritime sector, the physical and psychological pressure on seafarers is increasingly rising. Steven Jones, the founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, warned that the industry's expectation of continuously higher performance from fewer personnel is unsustainable.
In his assessment published on November 4, 2026, in Splash247, Jones emphasized that while artificial intelligence, autonomous ships, digital twins, and advanced sensor technologies are transforming maritime transport, the human factor has not been sufficiently considered during this transformation.
Seafarers' happiness index continues to decline.
According to the results of the Seafarers Happiness Index for the third quarter of 2026, the overall satisfaction score of seafarers has dropped to 6.81 out of 10.
The index, which was 7.26 in the last quarter of 2025, fell to 6.87 in the second quarter of 2026. The latest data revealed that dissatisfaction regarding seafarers' living and working conditions persists.
In the survey, solidarity and friendship among ship personnel were among the strongest satisfaction factors, while opportunities for going ashore received one of the lowest scores. Internet connectivity, workload, and social support services in ports were also among the issues that seafarers complained about.
Increased workload in ports reduces rest periods.
Jones pointed out in his assessment that measuring the workload on ships solely by total working hours is insufficient.
The crew, who have a relatively regular working schedule while at sea, face a hectic pace upon arrival at port due to cargo operations, inspections, official procedures, and paperwork.
The demands of shipowners and operators to reduce the duration of ships' stay in port also increase this pressure.
A captain participating in the survey reported that performing multiple tasks simultaneously during port operations caused significant fatigue among the personnel.
Another seafarer stated that he had not had the opportunity to leave the ship and go ashore during his four separate contracts, each lasting five to six months.
Technology may increase workload instead of reducing it.
Steven Jones also highlighted the effects of digitalization on personnel in the maritime sector.
He noted that artificial intelligence, sensors, and ship-to-shore communication systems provide the ability to monitor operations more closely, but these technologies can also create expectations for more reporting, intervention, and performance.
According to Jones, the success of technological advancements must be evaluated not only by the increase in efficiency but also by how much they reduce the workload on ship personnel.
Seafarers' resilience is not limitless.
Jones argued that the industry's tendency to continuously impose more responsibilities on seafarers based on their ability to adapt to difficult conditions should not be accepted. He stated that crew solidarity cannot replace institutional shortcomings.
He expressed that activities aimed at boosting the morale of ship personnel alone would not be sufficient, emphasizing the need to protect rest periods, improve personnel planning, and provide real opportunities for going ashore.
Jones pointed out that the successful continuation of seafarers' duties under challenging conditions does not imply that the current working arrangement is healthy, stressing that the industry should establish a working system that takes into account the physical and psychological limits of individuals instead of expecting continuous sacrifices from its employees.
Jones's assessment reveals that as ship technologies advance, the protection of the human resource, which is the most critical element of the maritime sector, has become an increasingly vital issue.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
