After a strong 2023, the team at VIKAND is more excited than ever for a successful 2024. The big theme this year is Partnership, as we leverage our network for the greater good of the industry and continue to seek partners who advocate for and support the health and wellbeing of crew members and guests. 

Our recent partnership with the UK P&I Club reflects the need for proactive solutions that can safeguard shipping and the people who power the maritime industry. 

Improving the physical and mental health of crew members is not only the right thing to do, but a mission that also makes good business sense through reduced costs, improved productivity and increased retention. At this point, too, digital solutions have proven to be quite capable of expanding access to vital healthcare services.  

The need to look after our crew is reinforced by current geopolitical news, which has affected commercial shipping and cruise ships alike. In fact, vessels in the Red Sea must now divert through the Cape of Good Hope, increasing the length of deployment for many seafarers, as well as the chance for negative health outcomes. These unfortunate situations underscore the need for partners to help safeguard our industry. 

This year, we also aim to expand our client reach and support more crew members than ever. Proactive, meaningful healthcare solutions are pivotal to both a healthy crew and safer vessel operations. Crew wellbeing is intrinsically linked to fewer accidents, illnesses and lost productivity, creating a net benefit to both business and people. 

Thank you for reading and enjoy the year’s first edition of Pulse. In it, you will learn what it takes to build and supply onboard medical facilities and deliver healthcare in remote parts of the world. You can also discover how VIKAND supports clients with case management services and take a deeper dive into our plans to provide proactive medical care to seafarers through a new OneHealth partnership with the UK P&I Club.