Alarming Trends in the Maritime Industry: Fatigue and Medical Care Among Cargo Ship Workers

A comprehensive study from Cardiff University’s Seafarers International Research Centre has shed light on concerning issues plaguing seafarers on cargo ships. The research, based on interviews and questionnaires with over 1,200 seafarers, reveals a disturbing trend of increasing fatigue and inadequate medical care.

According to the study, more than one-third of crew members reported insufficient sleep in the previous 48 hours. Factors contributing to this sleep deprivation include long working hours, irregular work patterns, port duties, vessel movement, and noise. These issues have escalated since previous studies conducted in 2016 and 2011.

The severity of the situation was recently exemplified when the NCL Salten ran aground in Trondheim, Norway, due to the watch officer falling asleep at the bridge. The incident occurred after the vessel had visited three ports within 24 hours, highlighting the dire consequences of fatigue.

Professor Helen Sampson, director of the research centre, expressed concern over the persistent problem of fatigue among seafarers, despite improved monitoring of work/rest hours. She noted that records of work/rest hours are often falsified to conceal overwork.

In addition to fatigue, the study also revealed significant healthcare challenges. Nearly 20% of seafarers who experienced serious injuries or illnesses on cargo ships were unable to access necessary medical care. Most cargo vessels operate without qualified medical personnel, relying on limited telemedical assistance until reaching port.

The maritime industry, employing over 1.5 million people globally, faces widespread underreporting of these issues. Many seafarers, wary of job insecurity due to precarious contracts, hesitate to report problems.

Professor Sampson called for regulatory reform to address these challenges, advocating for uninterrupted rest periods aligned with recommended sleep levels for adults. She emphasized the critical need for qualified medical personnel aboard cargo ships, stating that current access to medical care is inadequate.

The research, funded by Stiftelsen Sveriges Sjömanshus and supported by Sjöbefälsföreningen, highlights the urgent need for action to improve the well-being of seafarers in the maritime industry.