Day of the Seafarer ‘My Harassment-Free Ship’: Respect Starts with Training
Every year on June 25, the maritime industry comes together to recognise the unique contribution of seafarers to the world economy and global trade, often at great personal sacrifice. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Day of the Seafarer is a powerful reminder of the unique challenges seafarers face and the shared responsibility we have to protect their safety, dignity, and well-being.
This year’s theme, ‘My Harassment-Free Ship', is a call to action to eliminate bullying, harassment and discrimination at sea. It's a commitment to fostering inclusive, respectful, and safe workplaces where all crew members can thrive, regardless of gender, background, or rank.
A Culture of Respect Starts at the Top
Harassment and bullying remain widespread problems in the maritime sector. Studies show that over 50% of female seafarers and a significant number of their male counterparts, have experienced harassment at sea. Such incidents threaten their mental well-being and safety as well as team cohesion, productivity and even career progression. This is not just a seafarer issue. This is a company-wide issue.
Even those far from the deck, ashore in offices or boardrooms, must share in the responsibility to build a culture where inappropriate behaviour is not tolerated. From shipowners to superintendents, HR teams to senior executives, businesses must turn policy into practice at all levels. A respectful, inclusive environment requires unified thinking and consistent leadership from top to bottom.
“Creating a harassment-free ship starts long before anyone steps on board,” says Tomas Lindberg, Sales Director, Maritime at Mintra. “It’s about embedding the right behaviours and values into every level of an organisation, from leadership and operations to training and day-to-day culture. Training in soft skills shouldn’t be optional; it’s essential for a safe and thriving maritime workforce.”
The Power of Soft Skills in Tackling Harassment
While technical and safety training is essential for maritime operations, it is soft skills, like leadership, communication, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence, that create the conditions for a harassment-free ship.
In today’s challenging maritime environment, shaped by shifting geopolitics, evolving legislation and the urgent drive toward decarbonisation, training budgets are under increasing pressure. It’s often the non-essential certifications, like soft skills, that are omitted or cut.
Tomas Linderg explains, “At Mintra we have developed Soft Skills Training Bundles to support our customers and help turn the tide on soft skills training, offering packages that are affordable, flexible and tailored to the maritime industry. These solutions are designed to help organisations build crews that are not just competent but also confident, respectful and resilient, fully prepared to meet the complex demands of modern maritime operations.”
Our Soft Skills Training Bundles focus on three key areas.
- Leadership, Communication & Well-Being - effective leadership and open communication are the cornerstones of a respectful workplace. By prioritising this training, companies can develop leaders who set the tone for an inclusive and harassment-free culture.
- Maritime Safety, Compliance & Awareness - respect and safety go hand in hand. Creating a culture of awareness and accountability helps prevent incidents before they arise.
- Reflective Learning for Personal and Organisational Growth - based on the 150 Shell Maritime Partners for Safety. By supporting reflective practices, organisations encourage crew to take ownership of their behaviour and continuously improve, both personally and professionally.
Tomas Lindberg, Sales Director - MaritimeLet’s equip our people with the tools they need to lead, communicate and collaborate with respect. "
A Collective Responsibility
Tomas continues, “Creating a harassment-free ship isn’t just the job of the master or the HR department. It’s a collective effort that begins with training, is reinforced by leadership and lives in the daily actions of every individual onboard and onshore.”
“As we mark this Day of the Seafarer, let’s go beyond recognition and take action. Let’s equip our people with the tools they need to lead, communicate and collaborate with respect. Because every seafarer deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued on their journey.”
Mintra’s Soft Skills Training Bundles are helping maritime organisations around the world create safer, more inclusive workplaces at sea. To learn more, select here to speak with one of our team members.