On April 7, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), in collaboration with Swastha and Synergy Maritime, hosted a pivotal seminar titled “Bridging the Gap: Mental Health & Maritime Policies” at the Maritime Training Institute (MTI) in Mumbai. This seminar marked a significant step in addressing mental health challenges faced by seafarers and integrating these concerns into maritime policies, creating a collective call to action for the maritime industry.
The event commenced with a welcome speech by Capt. Anshul Rajvanshi, Managing Director of Synergy Maritime, who passionately called for unity in addressing the mental health crisis among seafarers, particularly focusing on suicides at sea. Highlighting the absence of formal support frameworks for affected families, Capt. Rajvanshi urged, “Let’s collaborate to develop actionable solutions that offer emotional, financial, and practical support to our seafarers and their families.”
Dr. Syed Asif Altaf Chowdhury, Global Wellbeing Program Coordinator at ITF, delivered a poignant address, sharing his personal battle with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. He challenged the industry, asking, “Have we created a safe and enabling environment for seafarers to talk about mental health? Have we created a culture where harassment and bullying have zero tolerance? The answer is no.” Dr. Chowdhury also called for systemic change, condemning the neglect often shown to grieving families and urging the maritime community to act as advocates for better working conditions.
Mr Abdulghani Y. Serang, Head General Secretary of NUSI, emphasized the unique challenges faced by seafarers, such as long working hours, isolation, and fatigue. He advocated for policy reforms, asserting, “Suicide in such cases should not be seen as intentional or self-inflicted but as a mental condition typically triggered by extreme stress or trauma.” Drawing on global examples, Serang proposed amendments to Collective Bargaining Agreements to ensure fair treatment and compensation for affected families.
The panel discussion, a key feature of the seminar, brought together industry stalwarts who provided valuable insights. Capt. M.P. Bhasin, Master Chairman of CMMI, emphasized, “Such tragedies should never be tolerated by anyone—whether it’s a shipping company, a seafarer, or government authorities.” Ms. Sonali Banerjee, India’s first lady marine engineer, highlighted the importance of resilience and early mental health interventions, noting, “Stress is inevitable, but teaching the younger generation to manage it effectively can prevent breaking points.”
Capt. Som Raj, General Manager at SCI, credited strong support systems for the low suicide rates within SCI, while urging the industry to prioritize mental health prevention. Capt. Rahul Sachdeva of Swastha
underscored the need for instructor-led programs and peer support, emphasizing, “Training must go beyond traditional methods to truly address mental health challenges.”
Mr. Sunil Dsouza, representing P&I Clubs, highlighted the role of comprehensive contracts in safeguarding seafarers’ rights, advocating for collaboration to ensure compensation for all deaths. Ryan Brazeau of ITF championed a generational shift in attitudes, urging, “We must move from dialogue to action in addressing mental health challenges in the maritime sector.”
As the seminar concluded, the collective message was clear: addressing mental health in the maritime industry is not just a necessity—it’s an urgent moral obligation. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the seminar illuminated a path toward a supportive and resilient maritime community.
Marex Media
