Meeting the needs of seafarers in a digital age - London International Shipping Week 2021

Maritime charities and industry leaders will explore the impact of technology on seafarer welfare − highlighting lessons learnt from the Covid-19 crew change crisis − at London International Shipping Week 2021 (LISW21).

As part of LISW21, The Mission to Seafarers, The Seafarers' Charity, Sailors' Society and Stella Maris are hosting an industry conference on seafarer welfare – Meeting The Needs of Seafarers In A Digital Age on 13 September.

The event will be chaired by the vice president of the International Chamber of Shipping John Adams and will feature four different panels − each exploring the impact of technology on crew welfare and highlighting the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chair of non-regulatory industry consortium 'Together in Safety' Dr Grahaeme* Henderson will deliver a keynote speech on the impact of technology on crew health and safety.

The Mission to Seafarers secretary general The Reverend Canon Andrew Wright commented: 'This conference gathers some of the industry's key voices and provides an opportunity to discuss the welfare issues faced by seafarers, whether the solutions were effective, and what will continue to be a priority in the months to come.

'If we have learnt anything, it's that technology has been key to providing support, but we must always consider the bigger picture.'

Sailors' Society CEO Sara Baade said: 'The past year has highlighted more than ever how digital applications can enable us to deliver an effective and broad range of welfare provision for seafarers.'

Stella Maris CEO Martin Foley added that its partnership with corporates has played an ever increasing role in how it cares for and supports seafarers. 'The pandemic has both changed our ways of working and increased the vital importance of assisting the world's seafarers as they keep the world supplied.'