The rise of seafarers leaving for shore jobs jeopardizes maritime safety and the shift to new fuels, warns experts at a recent COP30 webinar.
Growing numbers of seafarers leaving for shore-based jobs are threatening maritime safety and the transition to new fuels, reports the UK's Seatrade Maritime News.
At a COP30 webinar titled 'The Global Seafarer Emergency,' experts warned that unhappiness among crews could undermine the safe operations of the world fleet, which carries more than 80 percent of global trade by volume. Complaints include bullying, discrimination, fatigue, lack of connectivity, and extended tours of duty.
Lloyd's Register Chief Marketing Officer Philippa Charlton stated that shipping is central to international trade and decarbonization. She stressed the urgent need for new generations of skilled seafarers and rapid retraining in handling fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen.
Lloyd's Register Foundation Chief Executive Ruth Boumphrey revealed that 1.9 million seafarers were employed across 112,500 vessels in January 2025. Half come from the Asia-Pacific region, 33 percent from Europe, four percent from Africa, and only 1.3 percent are female. She noted that 64 percent had no training in decarbonization over the past two years.
Ms. Boumphrey added that 450,000 seafarers will require special training by 2030, rising to 800,000 by mid-decade. She warned that without this training, the fuel transition could stall.
Almi Tankers founder Capt. Stylianos Dimouleas emphasized that employers must embed welfare and well-being in management systems. He declared digital connectivity a right and mentioned that senior staff are trained in leadership to cascade skills. He noted that 95 percent of his company's seafarers feel secure, benefiting both them and their families.
