At the invitation of Adonis Violaris, Managing Director of Cyprus Shipping News, I attended the inaugural CSN London Maritime Forum on 13 October.
The organisers set out to “step away from generic industry talk and focus strictly on hard commercial realities, strategy, risk and risk mitigation for shipping in an unpredictable future”.
Judging by the packed room, that ambition resonated. Shipowners, operators and insurers all face complex decisions that directly affect their commercial viability and, increasingly, crew safety.
As an engineer whose career has focused on deploying technologies that improve health and safety at sea, I found myself reflecting on a central question: Are the strategies that have served us until now sufficient for what comes next?
The discussions reinforced my belief that we need to look beyond recalibrating marine insurance and give greater attention to how we support people at sea.
Looking beyond asset protection
Much of the conversation centred on protecting assets, particularly the financial and legal arrangements needed when operating in war zones. Seafarers were implicitly included in that definition of an “asset”, but protecting people requires a broader approach.
Those living and working through this upheaval may face mental, physical and even existential stress. Financial protection and legal safeguards matter, but they cannot, on their own, address the human consequences of operating under threat.
These pressures extend beyond danger zones. Seafarers face uncertainty about whether today’s skills and knowledge will equip them for tomorrow’s demands. Cybersecurity, the energy transition and evolving compliance requirements add further complexity to already demanding roles.
For those of us working in maritime healthcare, this raises a practical question: What kind of support will make a meaningful difference?
Keeping human connection at the centre
As I listened and learned, I found myself questioning whether more self-help apps or AI-guided tools are the answer for seafarers navigating these conditions.
There is certainly a place for those tools. But when someone is far from home, facing uncertainty and trying to make sense of their situation, I believe the priority should be access to a person who can listen, understand and respond with empathy.
Ideally, that person will have experienced life at sea. Understanding the realities of the working environment can help turn a conversation into a meaningful connection.
Providing this support may cost more than an entirely automated service, but cost alone tells us little about the value of a conversation that helps someone feel heard and understood.
Using technology to strengthen care
For me, the opportunity lies in putting better technology into the hands of the people providing that support.
Digital tools can help those supporting seafarers and operators access relevant information, interpret data and make better-informed decisions. Used intelligently, they can strengthen the human conversation taking place over the phone or by video and help providers respond with greater understanding.
I would focus our efforts on giving people the tools to offer more informed, responsive and empathetic support to seafarers.
My thanks to Adonis, Cyprus Shipping News and all the speakers for prompting these reflections. As shipping rethinks risk for an unpredictable future, the lived experience of global seafarers deserves a central place in the conversation.
