People, Purpose & Progress:
A Wake-Up Call for Maritime

‘What does progress in the maritime industry really look like?’

This question was brought sharply into focus during a recent panel I joined at Spinnaker Maritime People & Culture Conference in London. It wasn’t asked through data or debate, it was asked through the raw, powerful words of a woman who had lived through the industry’s most painful truths.

The panel opened with her personal testimony of ongoing misogyny, bullying and sexual assault during her time at sea. Her story left the room stunned, and rightly so. It was not a comfortable way to start a conversation, but it was the only way to start it truthfully.

Her voice was a wake-up call.

It reminded us all that when we talk about ‘training,’ ‘technology,’ or ‘wellbeing,’ we’re not just improving systems, we are protecting people.

Culture Isn’t Soft. It’s the Hardest Thing to Get Right.

Throughout the session, one theme kept surfacing: culture.

We heard about seafarers who feel isolated, overlooked and afraid to speak up. We discussed how digital connectivity, whilst vital, can also overwhelm, especially when compounded by shrinking crew sizes and growing workloads. There is enormous pressure on people, often without adequate support.

Yet we also heard hope. A shared will to build something better for those on board as well as those supporting them from ashore.

At Mintra, we believe cultural change can and must begin with the way people are trained, supported and spoken to. Compliance is vital, but it is no longer enough. We must build capabilities in soft skills too: communication, empathy, leadership and inclusion.

This must be led from the top. Leadership teams, onshore and offshore, need to recognise that respect, openness and emotional intelligence are not "nice-to-haves" they are essential tools for running a safe, inclusive and productive ship.

I am proud that as a business we are investing in more than just compliance or competence, by building training that helps create safe spaces, as well as safe operations.

Digital Tools Must Serve People, Not Just Processes

Connectivity was another major theme of the discussion. The question is no longer “Do crews have internet?” but “Are we using it well?”

Technology enables learning, connection and support, but it can also introduce new kinds of stress. When seafarers face problems at home that they are powerless to solve, connectivity can amplify feelings of helplessness and worry. The panel agreed that cutting them off is not the answer and that the solution lies in preparing seafarers before the pressure hits.

This means providing tools and training that are both accessible and empathetic, equipping them to manage stress and unexpected events, not just tick box operational checklists. Learning must be flexible, human-centred, and grounded in real life.

Above all, seafarers should feel that their well-being is a priority, not an afterthought.

We also asked a powerful question: “What are we doing for the families of seafarers?”

The silence was telling.

We talk about crew welfare, but we rarely talk about the children, partners and parents who live with the highs and lows of life at sea. The panel shared a hopeful vision: that digital tools could one day extend to support those networks too.

Behind every safe voyage is a well-supported seafarer and behind them, a family who deserves to be seen.

Invest in People as We Automate

Automation is changing the shape of crews. Fewer people onboard means more responsibility for each individual and less margin for fatigue, isolation or error.

The entire panel agreed: in an automated world, our investment in people must go up, not down.

That means training that’s accessible anywhere, anytime. It means upskilling seafarers to work with emerging technologies, while still strengthening timeless values: teamwork, leadership, accountability. It means supporting seafarers not just in their jobs, but in their growth as individuals

Let’s Not Waste This Moment

The brave seafarer who opened the panel with her personal story reminded us that real change takes courage. Courage to speak. Courage to listen. Courage to act.

At Mintra, we’re proud to provide trusted digital learning solutions and we never forget who they’re for. We’re shaping training that protects, empowers and includes. We stand for a maritime culture where every voice matters.

Because progress isn’t just about having the latest tools. It’s about having the will to do better, holding the people who will benefit at the heart of everything we do.