Seafarers still face significant challenges in spite of slight uptick in global happiness

A slight rise in global seafarer happiness is indicated in the third quarter report of The Seafarers Happiness Index, but significant challenges remain around shore leave, wages, feelings of isolation and the continued inequality of internet connectivity.

The quarterly survey, conducted by The Mission to Seafarers, reveals a steady increase in satisfaction in several areas of seafaring life up to 7.16 in Q3 2024 – a slight uptick from 6.99 in Q2 of this year, an increase attributed to increased downtime due to longer Red Sea diversion routes away from the Middle East conflict zone.

Wages have also improved, suggesting that some seafarers feel more satisfied with their compensation. However, concerns about fair pay persist, with corresponding feelings of being undervalued, and some crew still reporting being unpaid – a situation with which Nautilus ITF inspectors are all too familiar.

Happiness also still varies significantly by job role, vessel type, region and gender. Despite a slight drop in overall responses, female seafarers continue to report higher happiness levels than their male counterparts. In fact, the happiest profile, based on this latest data, is likely 'a female seafarer in the electrical department of a dredger vessel, from Africa or North Asia. Conversely, the least happy profile may be a male captain or second officer on a container ship in Western Europe, especially on a long contract.'

Peter Rouch, secretary-general of the Mission to Seafarers, said: 'While it is encouraging to see another slight rise in seafarer happiness, this report clearly shows that significant challenges remain. Seafarers are the backbone of global trade, and we must prioritise their wellbeing by addressing concerns around communication, shore leave, and compensation.'