Singapore – 27 March 2025
In a landmark move to improve life at sea and address one of the shipping industry’s most pressing challenges, on 26 March the Global Maritime Forum (GMF) launched the Sustainable Crewing Guidelines, a set of nine actionable recommendations designed to raise standards for seafarer wellbeing across the maritime sector.
The Sustainable Crewing Guidelines have been co-developed by the GMF All Aboard Alliance, acting in concert with 12 leading shipping companies, including Synergy Marine Group, and are a key part of a response to the growing global workforce shortage. With a projected shortfall of 90,000 trained seafarers by 2026, this initiative seeks to set a new benchmark in human sustainability and operational resilience—offering a proactive roadmap to ensure safety, inclusion and long-term workforce retention.
Addressing a Crisis with Collective Commitment
Despite their indispensable role in sustaining an annual $14 trillion of global trade, many of the world’s 1.9 million seafarers continue to face unsafe working conditions, limited connectivity and high levels of fatigue and harassment. The new guidelines aim to remedy this through key provisions that include:
- Clear behavioural expectations and anti-harassment protocols
- Rank-specific training and appraisal standards
- Access to inclusive PPE and sanitary products
- Reliable internet connectivity and flexible contracts
- Paid parental leave and ongoing feedback loops
These recommendations were informed by several years of research and pilot programmes involving over 400 seafarers on board 12 merchant vessels, two of which are Synergy-managed Aframax tankers.
Leadership Voices
Mikael Skov, CEO of Hafnia and Co-Chair of the All Aboard Alliance, said: ”These guidelines serve as a roadmap for shipping companies striving to improve employee wellbeing, and will also help seafarers and other stakeholders identify companies that take sustainability and social responsibility seriously. They strike a strong balance between aspiration and realism, and we’re confident that they will improve outcomes for all workers in the maritime industry.”
Susanne Justesen, Director of Human Sustainability at the GMF, urged that: ”We need a complete re-think of what good looks like when it comes to seafarer wellbeing. While existing frameworks like the Maritime Labour Convention provide minimum standards, these new guidelines aim to inspire those companies that want to go beyond compliance and lead the way toward a safe, attractive and sustainable career at sea.”
Captain Rajesh Unni, Chairman of Synergy Marine Group, added: ”The maritime industry stands at a pivotal moment where the touchstone must be human sustainability.
To secure the future of global trade, we must act now—ensuring fair career pathways, equitable working conditions and reliable digital access at sea.” He continued: “The Sustainable Crewing Guidelines offer timely, evidence-based solutions to support workforce retention, safety and wellbeing. I believe it’s time for our sector to define itself as inclusive, empowering and standards-based—and as one that can brand itself as an inspiration to the next and following generations.”
Consortium Participants
The Sustainable Crewing Guidelines were developed with very substantial active input from:
BP Shipping, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, Cargill Ocean Transportation, Chevron Shipping, Diana Shipping, Dorian LPG, GasLog, Hafnia, MISC Marine, Stena Group, Swire Shipping and Synergy Marine Group.
Next Steps
Launched during Singapore Maritime Week, these Guidelines aim to elevate crewing standards across the shipping sector and shift the global conversation from minimum standards to best practice. The All Aboard Alliance will reconvene in April 2025 to define the roadmap for adoption, accountability and impact assessment.
Access the full Sustainable Crewing Guidelines report
https://globalmaritimeforum.org/press/first-of-a-kind-sustainable-crewing-guidelines-to-safeguard-seafarer-well
About Global Maritime Forum
The Global Maritime Forum is an international not-for-profit organisation committed to shaping the future of global seaborne trade. It works by bringing together visionary leaders and experts who, through collaboration and collective action, strive to increase sustainable long-term economic development and human well-being. Established in 2017, the Global Maritime Forum is funded through a combination of grants and partner contributions. It operates independently of any outside influence and does not support individual technologies or companies. Most of its roughly 45-person staff is based in the organisation’s headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.
About the All Aboard Alliance
Established in 2022, the All Aboard Alliance is a cross-industry initiative designed around a diversity, equity, and inclusion framework and a collaborative drive to make the maritime industry more sustainable, progressive, welcoming, and innovative. As of September 2023, the All Aboard Alliance consists of 36 member companies, including some of the most prominent names in shipping.
About Synergy Marine Group
Headquartered in Singapore, Synergy Marine Group’s hallmarks are its through-life approach to asset management and ability to develop custom-designed thought partnership strategies with leading owners. Spanning across a network of 25 offices in 14 countries and employing more than 25,000 seafarers, Synergy manages a fleet of over 700+ vessels including the most complex LNG (including FSUs), LPG and vast 20,000+ TEU container ships, as well as oil and chemical tankers, car carriers and bulk carriers. With a strong focus on crew well-being, digitalisation and environmentally responsible policies, Synergy is at the forefront of transforming the ship management industry.
Media contacts:
Molly P. Hannon,
Global Maritime Forum
PR & Media Relations Lead
M: +45 53 76 67 87
E: mph@globalmaritimeforum.org
Vishal Srivastava,
Head – Corporate Communications,
Synergy Marine Group
+91 8754536564
vishal.s@synergyship.com
