Mission to Seafarers joins SSI stressing key role of seafarers in decarbonizing shipping

The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) has welcomed The Mission to Seafarers as its newest member, further highlighting the importance of seafarers and seafarers’ rights and welfare in building a sustainable maritime industry.

As explained, SSI members, spanning the maritime ecosystem, are united by the belief that sustainability needs to be a core priority for the sector – and that a sustainable industry considers all three elements of environmental, social, and governance (ESG).

SSI’s ongoing work on seafarers’ rights and welfare has resulted in the delivering of seafarers’ rights Code of Conduct (developed with the Institute for Human Rights and Business and the Rafto Foundation) and has supported the development of the RightShip Crew Welfare Tool.

Moving forward, and with the added support of the Mission as a full member, SSI will continue to advocate for the importance of seafarers to the shipping sector as it works to decarbonize – as valued stakeholders and experts on the specific challenges of operating a zero-emission vessel and on the impacts of new technologies and ways of working on life at sea.

”We are delighted to be joining the Sustainable Shipping Initiative at a time when the industry is facing tough choices toward meeting their ESG goals. Seafarers are at the forefront of delivering change for industry, and yet often their voices can get drowned out. We have worked with SSI on a number of initiatives in recent years, and feel the time is right for us to formally unite. We look forward to giving crews the voice they deserve in this vital working group,” Ben Bailey, Director of Programme, the Mission to Seafarers, commented.

“Seafarer well-being is not just an ethical imperative, it’s essential for a sustainable shipping industry. By uniting all those committed to supporting positive change for seafarers, we can ensure a truly just transition towards a more sustainable maritime sector. One that places seafarers at the heart of everything we do,” Steven Jones, SSI’s CEO, said.

“This collaboration benefits everyone and we are delighted to welcome the Mission to Seafarers to the SSI. Not only as a voice for seafarers but as a catalyst for change, ensuring positive discussion translates into real world improvements in the lives and experiences of all at sea.”

Last year, a DNV study found that a staggering 81% of seafarers expressed a necessity for partial or complete training to effectively handle the advanced technologies expected to be deployed on future ships.

Additionally, over 75% of respondents indicated a need for training on new fuel types, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), batteries, or synthetic fuels. The demand for training on emerging fuels like ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol surged even higher, reaching 87% among survey participants.