Decarbonisation Revolution: New ISWAN Guide Unveils Shocking Impact Of Tech Overload

In a groundbreaking move shaking the maritime world, the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has released a bold new guide that puts seafarers—often overlooked heroes of the seas—at the very center of the global push for decarbonisation.

This eye-opening guidance comes on the heels of a revealing 2023 survey of 400 seafarers and 55 shore-based staff worldwide, exposing the hidden toll that rapid technological change and tough new regulations are taking on those who keep the world’s shipping lanes moving.

While seafarers overwhelmingly support the urgent need to cut carbon emissions, the report uncovers alarming increases in fatigue, stress, and fears of criminalisation under complex new rules. The burden of mastering unfamiliar, high-tech systems is overwhelming crews, threatening their wellbeing and the very future of maritime recruitment.

Sponsored by The Shipowners’ Club, ISWAN’s new guide, Taking a seafarer-centred approach to decarbonisation, offers practical, actionable solutions to safeguard seafarers’ mental health and job satisfaction during this turbulent transition. It calls on the entire maritime industry to rethink how it supports crews—advocating for better communication, psychological safety, and smarter crewing models to combat “technostress” and fatigue.

Simon Grainge, ISWAN’s Chief Executive, warned that: “As decarbonisation accelerates, ignoring the human cost risks derailing the entire effort. Seafarers are eager to help, but they must be treated as partners, not just operators of new tech.”

Louise Hall of The Shipowners’ Club echoed the urgency: “Seafarers are the backbone of sustainability at sea. This guidance is a vital step toward protecting them and ensuring a safe, resilient maritime future.”

The full guidance is now available for download on the ISWAN website, marking a pivotal moment in the maritime industry’s race to a zero-carbon future—one where seafarers are no longer left to navigate the storm alone.