Earlier this month, VIKAND celebrated the launch of OneHealth with an event at the United States Embassy in London. The evening brought together key stakeholders to discuss our shared goal of mitigating risks to health at sea and safeguarding the viability of the shipping industry. 

In my remarks to attendees, I outlined how the maritime industry has truly reached a crossroads. The crew market is already tight, with a record high officer shortage. By 2026, the industry will be short some 90,000 officers, which is already impacting recruitment, retention and manning costs. 

At present, medical diversions at sea cost maritime operators millions of dollars each year. The frequency and severity of illness-related claims continues its upward trend, while at the same time up to 10,000 crew members a year are being “PEME’d out.”  

Recruiting and training replacement labour creates another significant cost centre, and staffing ships with less experienced officers raises risk profiles and insurance costs. 

OneHealth seeks to address this crisis through proactive, comprehensive healthcare designed to lower the shipping industry’s long-term costs, improve its commercial viability and enhance workforce sustainability. 

In a OneHealth briefing session, industry leaders we spoke with agreed that looking after seafarer health isn’t just a moral obligation, but an initiative with concrete business benefits. More precise PEMEs, proactive care, mental and physical health programs, expanded access to digital tools, healthy food and more will help us overcome the crew crisis. 

This issue of Pulse dives deep into the many benefits of investing in good healthcare at sea, from improving the guest health screening process prior to arctic cruises to a closer look at why telemedicine alone isn’t a viable solution. OneHealth by VIKAND uses telehealth as one part of a comprehensive, proactive strategy that seeks to positively impact every aspect of seafarer health and wellness.