Values of seafarers influence the safety of maritime operations and determining them helps in understanding seafarers' behavior and decision-making. This empirical study investigated the predominant personal values among seafarers using Schwartz's Value Theory as the theoretical framework. Employing a quantitative approach, this study surveyed 1002 seafarers using a revision of the Schwartz Revised Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ-RR). The revised version (in English) was tested for validity and reliability and was pilot tested, then translated into eight other languages. Quantitative analysis involved statistical analyses which followed the recommendations of Schwartz (2021) to determine the values that seafarers hold, including their significant differences based on demographic profiles. The findings reveal that the predominant values among seafarers are Self-transcendence and Conservation, specifically Security, Benevolence, Universalism and Conformity broad values. Universalism-Nature, Security-Personal, Benevolence-Caring, Security-Societal, Benevolence-Dependability and Universalism-Concern were the narrowly defined values that seafarers hold. Also, there was no significant difference in the values that seafarers hold in terms of their demographic profile except for their nationality. To the knowledge of the researchers, this is the first study that used the 19 value-framework to determine the value priorities of seafarers. The determined values of seafarers are significant to maritime stakeholders, including the Maritime Education and Training institutions in designing/redesigning programs to address the affective domain of learning, specifically values and their internalization.

Values of seafarers influence the safety of maritime operations and determining them helps in understanding seafarers’ behavior and decision-making. This empirical study investigated the predominant personal values among seafarers using Schwartz’s Value Theory as the theoretical framework. Employing a quantitative approach, this study surveyed 1002 seafarers using a revision of the Schwartz Revised Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ-RR). The revised version (in English) was tested for validity and reliability and was pilot tested, then translated into eight other languages. Quantitative analysis involved statistical analyses which followed the recommendations of Schwartz (2021) to determine the values that seafarers hold, including their significant differences based on demographic profiles. The findings reveal that the predominant values among seafarers are Self-transcendence and Conservation, specifically Security, Benevolence, Universalism and Conformity broad values. Universalism-Nature, Security-Personal, Benevolence-Caring, Security-Societal, Benevolence-Dependability and Universalism-Concern were the narrowly defined values that seafarers hold. Also, there was no significant difference in the values that seafarers hold in terms of their demographic profile except for their nationality. To the knowledge of the researchers, this is the first study that used the 19 value-framework to determine the value priorities of seafarers. The determined values of seafarers are significant to maritime stakeholders, including the Maritime Education and Training institutions in designing/redesigning programs to address the affective domain of learning, specifically values and their internalization.

IntroductionSeafarers face substantial mental health challenges related to isolation, high workloads, and limited access to support, with 77% of surveyed seafarers reporting at least one mental health problem such as sleep disorders, anxiety, or loneliness onboard.MethodsDrawing on the Triple Helix model, through a weighted ratio indicator analysis, this study examines how three stakeholder groups, seafarers, employers, and psychological service providers, perceive seafarers' mental health challenges and the availability and use of support interventions, based on an online questionnaire completed by 106 respondents (48 seafarers, 44 employers, 14 service providers).ResultsFindings reveal marked misalignment between stakeholders' understanding of psychological safety, low utilization of available mental health services, and a pronounced imbalance between demand for psychological support and its supply and uptake in employers.ConclusionThe study's major contribution is to demonstrate, through an integrated supply-demand analysis, where gaps arise between seafarers' needs, market offerings, and employers' implementation practices, and to propose evidence-based recommendations for strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing stakeholders' dialog and collaboration, and contextualizing appropriate training and service provision to strengthen psychological safety and mental well-being at sea.

Women remain significantly underrepresented in the Merchant Marine workforce, and little empirical research has examined how gendered occupational settings influence their perceived well-being. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, this mixed-methods study explored how individual experiences, organizational culture, and policy frameworks interact to shape gender inclusion and occupational well-being among Colombian women seafarers. Seventeen officers (73.9% of the accessible population) completed a descriptive survey and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data profiled demographic and professional characteristics, while qualitative narratives revealed experiences of restricted technical duties, harassment, and limited institutional support within male-dominated environments. Despite these barriers, participants demonstrated strong agency and adaptive coping strategies that sustained professional engagement. Findings highlight that perceived well-being is shaped by micro-level personal factors, meso-level organizational dynamics, and macro-level regulatory contexts. The study contributes to Gender Equity and Occupational Health scholarship by linking individual experiences to institutional and regulatory environments and recommends gender-responsive maritime training, independent reporting mechanisms, and integrated mental-health policies to promote equitable and sustainable seafaring careers.

The maritime industry faces ongoing challenges to seafarers' mental health and well-being due to demanding work conditions, social isolation, and safety-critical tasks. While leadership plays a key role in fostering psychologically healthy workplaces, empirical studies on targeted mental health training for maritime leaders remain scarce. This action research investigated the feasibility, relevance, and practical implications of a structured mental health and well-being training programme designed for future maritime leaders. Based on the World Health Organization's healthy workplace framework and maritime occupational health research, this study utilised two-cycle action research. The training course, Introduction to Mental Health and Well-being: WaW - We are Well, was implemented at a postgraduate maritime education institution and evaluated using a mixed- methods approach. The data included pre- and post-course surveys using the Beck Depression Inventory as well as qualitative feedback from open questions and focus groups. The findings suggest that integrating leadership-focused mental health training into formal maritime education is feasible and highly valued by participants with mainly technical and engineering backgrounds. This paper provides practice-based evidence for the use of action research in developing a practical, context-specific training programme that equips maritime leaders to build psychologically healthy environments and enhance sustainable performance in maritime sociotechnical systems.

This special collection encompasses 10 articles that delve into the pressing aspects of seafarers’ well-being, mental health, and the workplace. The articles are categorized into 2 broad topics. The first topic, comprising 6 articles, scrutinizes the contributory factors to seafarers’ psychological well-being on board, covering sleep problems, food provisions, sexual abstinence, work-life balance, and psychosocial and work environment factors associated with seafaring. Four of these papers also focus on job satisfaction, work effectiveness, and retention in relation to seafarers’ psychological well-being. The second topic includes 4 articles on seafarers’ mental health assessment and promotion. These articles examine measurement tools for mental health, well-being, and resilience, as well as formal training and technology, including mobile apps, in seafarers’ health promotion and education. The insights gleaned from this special collection have the potential to significantly influence the practices of researchers, policymakers, and shipping companies. By shedding light on the need to enhance seafarers’ employment characteristics and address the health, safety, and well-being aspects of their work and life, this research can guide these stakeholders to better support seafarers in their crucial role as “key workers.”

Over the years, the demand for transportation has experienced a consistent rise, which has exacerbated a multitude of issues including environmental, visual, and noise pollution, congestion, land use conflicts, and various other related challenges. In this regard, the pursuit of alternatives aimed at mitigating these adverse effects stands as a priority for governments and policymakers. Consequently, inland waterway transport (IWT) emerges as an appealing solution, due to its advantages across the social, environmental, and economic considerations. However, in relation to IWT the concept of sustainable development is insufficiently investigated. The objective of this paper is to undertake a comprehensive review of how the concept of sustainable development is addressed and applied within the framework of IWT systems. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review was meticulously conducted, utilizing three academic databases (Scopus, Google Scholar, and EBSCO). The review process yielded a total of 51 papers that proved to be pertinent and relevant to the subject matter. The comprehensive literature review facilitated the delineation of the principal elements, factors, and characteristics of the IWT system, as well as the primary drivers for its sustainable development. However, the implications for further research were identified, such as a comprehensive examination of each case due to the distinct geographical, social, economic, and political conditions inherent to each individual basin. That is essential for understanding the unique barriers present within each context and for formulating viable solutions aimed at fostering and incentivizing the sustainable development of IWT systems.

Background: The Philippines is the global maritime industry's single biggest source of seafarers. This article examines how the Philippines protects the welfare of its seafarers working on board ocean-going vessels. Materials and methods: We employed a multi-method approach to better understand the POEA-SEC as a regulatory instrument. First, we analysed Philippine legislation and regulations that are shaping the employment, welfare, and working conditions of Filipino seafarers. Second, we examined the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Standard Employment Contract (POEA-SEC) which requires that minimum standards of employment for seafarers are met. We use legal analysis to examine three specific provisions that pertain to their well-being: duration of employment, monetary considerations, and working conditions in terms of hours of work and rest periods. Third, we analysed interview and focus group data on the experiences of Filipino seafarers on board ships in respect of the POEA-SEC's efficacy in protecting their well-being. Results: Analysis of the policy environment for Filipino seafarers shows how the interests of powerful actors have taken precedence over those of Filipino seafarers. Seafarers' experiences suggest that they cannot be reached by the contract, whether symbolic or otherwise. The contract fails to address seafarer issues, such as security of tenure, excessive working hours resulting in fatigue, stress and anxiety. Conclusions: The POEA-SEC falls short as a legal document to address occupational, health and safety issues, which contribute to the detriment of seafarers' health and well-being. This indicates that the Philippine government cannot fully protect its seafarers.

Inland waterway transport (IWT) is recognized by its social, environmental, and economic advantages if compared with other transportation means. Nevertheless, several barriers have been identified which require the implementation of solutions that lead to the sustainable development of IWT. After reviewing the literature, this paper presents a framework of barriers and solutions for the sustainable development of IWT. The data were classified within the main elements of the IWT system: ports, fleet, and waterway, and subsequently grouped into one of the five proposed factors (governance and policies, management, operational, infrastructure and technology, and human resources). The basis for the enhancement of IWT is the attitude and change of mindset of governments towards IWT development. From there, several solutions can be implemented, such as policies that stimulate IWT growth aligned with the environmental requirements of each basin and encourage the private sector to take part in the search for alternatives in Favor of IWT development as a reliable, sustainable, and economically viable means of transport.

The training and education of seafarers have evolved significantly with the establishment of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the adoption of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). This paper explores maritime industry key stakeholders’ perspectives on onboard training (OBT) focusing on its benefits, curriculum, and challenges. The thematic analysis of the opinions of representatives of key stakeholders highlighted the critical role of OBT in providing real-world experience, applying theoretical knowledge in practice, and gaining cultural insights essential for maritime cadets’ professional growth. Some obstacles related to financial constraints of shipping companies, common ship activities, living conditions on board, unexpected weather conditions, regulatory inconsistencies, and characteristics of curriculum, such as trainers’ competencies, number of trainers on board, different implementation of OBT by different companies were revealed. The respondents agreed that the traditional 12-month OBT period is necessary, however proper integration of technological advancements in achieving competences with harmonized international regulations, updated curriculum, and enhanced stakeholder collaboration can be helpful to reduce the duration of OBT. Further research should identify competences to be developed through integration of technologies including simulator training.

Increasing demands in digital skills are worldwide and various countries developed their public policies to emphasize the development of digital skills as a need for sustainable development. From the perspective of public policy, digital skills are considered critical enablers in geopolitical, societal, economic, and environmental sustainability. The maritime industry also faces the same challenges in seafarer skill gaps, including digital skills, anticipated by new transitions in digitalization and automation in shipping. This emphasizes the important role of maritime education and training (MET) to ensure that maritime professionals are equipped with digital skills. To do this, digital skills among the MET faculty need to be strengthened as well. However, to what extent public policies on digital skills are integrated in MET remains unclear. This paper explores how MET can benefit from a public policy framework to increase digital skills among the MET faculty using a case study with a survey on teachers' digital skills from two Ukrainian universities.

Seafarers' knowledge and skills to handle new technologies in the environmental field are considered as important in the maritime industry. To prepare for future needs in green shipping, a new concept of "People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions (PCCET)" is relevant as it implies the role of education to support "people- centred and inclusive" clean energy transition within the maritime sector. This paper explores the role of MET to support the concept of PCCET from social sustainability perspectives. This study was inspired by the principles of "just transition" where education is recognized as a tool to create an enabling environment for people to drive the transition towards more sustainable and inclusive societies. The method of this study is to align the concept of PCCET to the existing framework of Global Maritime Professionals (GMPs), enabling the IAMU community to participate in PCCET through the promotion of GMP in MET. By adopting a concept mapping method, the paper identified key linkages between PCCET and GMP and the role of MET. The result would increase the applicability of GMP into an emerging maritime context where the potential of MET can also be expanded towards a sustainable maritime future.

Every country’s economy depends on workforce competencies that are developed mostly by education systems, in which institutions of higher education play an important role. With the spread of higher education and the continuous development of opportunities for lifelong learning, higher education institutions are facing challenges organising education by addressing the needs and preferences of different generations. As research shows, different generations have various learning preferences, needs and goals in life, and education. To organise teaching and learning activities effectively (now and in the future), educational institutions need to understand the characteristics of the multi-generational student population, and the tendencies in future changes to the student population. This is important for many industries, including the maritime industry. To supply young talent to the maritime industry, maritime education and training also need to take into account the future workforce and the needs of industry, in terms of new challenges, such as technological changes, sustainability goals, decarbonisation, and the blue economy. This paper presents an analysis of the changes in the student population at the World Maritime University higher education institution over the last five years, with a special focus on Generation Z. Insights into the organisation of effective education to address the needs of the maritime industry are presented based on the tendencies identified.

Individuals’ emotional well-being is determined by several factors, including the ability to cope with daily stress and the ability to cope with various daily challenges. Ability of the management to provide favorable psychoemotional and psychosocial conditions within their team is particularly important. However, managers do not always have the knowledge and skills to lead their teams. For the development of the methodology, a study of the scientific literature on topical issue like healthy workplace was performed. The empirical part of the study is based on the results of the survey conducted Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Sweden within the Nordplus project ‘Dealing with anxiety during a pandemic to enhance adult well-being’ on the impact of Covid-19, as well as the training that would be necessary for the managers of companies or organizations to promote emotional wellbeing in the workplace. The comparative study was conducted from the perspective of both employees and managers. The results show that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace and the well-being of employees was not strong for the respondents, depending mainly on the job position, the size of the organization and country. Managers and employees consider various psychological trainings essential.

The shift from the traditional physical working places to smart ones by utilizing growing digitalization is actively taking place in transportation industry. The specialists utilizing smart technologies have to be ready to take new opportunities. The discussion of the competences of future professionals is going on and the question of the readiness of educational institution to prepare specialists for the future has to be investigated. The objective of the paper is to present results of the investigation about the students’ opinion on digital readiness of educational institution to prepare future professionals being able to work at smart workplace in transportation industry. The paper presents the findings of the exploratory research by applying multi-dimensional model of competences and analysing the quantitative and qualitative data of the students’ survey. The research results demonstrate that students understand the importance of digital readiness as a condition to be able to work at smart workplace. However, the higher educational institutions have to design study programmes in a way to pay more attention to the development of digital, soft and especially self-awareness competences to ensure readiness of the graduates to accept the digitization challenges at labour market in transportation industry.

BACKGROUND:Seafarers' mental health is seriously affected by COVID-19. The pandemic could act as a catalyst for change with respect to seafarers' mental health protection and promotion.OBJECTIVE:The study explores the main factors contributing to the mental health and wellbeing of seafarers. Moreover, elements to help seafarers lessen the impact of the pandemic on their work and life onboard are analyzed, and their role in developing a positive psychosocial environment and promoting a healthy workplace onboard are discussed.METHODS:The study involved the use of an ad hoc questionnaire and the adoption of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample included one hundred and five active seafarers.RESULTS:Ninety-six percent of the sample stated that mental health is a very or extremely important part of their general health. Seafarers perceive that their mental health has been seriously impacted by COVID-19. Major factors contributing to seafarers' mental health and wellbeing reveal three groups of factors: rest and spare time-related factors, communication/relationship with the external world, and interaction and social life on board factors.CONCLUSIONS:Strategies suggested by seafarers for coping with "inevitable" psychological stress produced by COVID-19 and promoting their wellbeing include managerial, emotional, facilities-related (including communication infrastructure), physical, and social elements to promote wellbeing. Economic, intellectual, and spiritual elements also have to be taken into consideration and require further investigation. Building on seafarers' insights and experiences, a healthy environment onboard should cultivate holistically the four main spheres of a healthy workplace (physical work environment, psychosocial work environment, personal health resources, and enterprise community involvement) and the five features of a healthy psychosocial environment (social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual) under all circumstances, whether exceptional or ordinary.

The research is an insightful exploration into what contributes to the deterioration of seafarers' wellbeing. It unveils the determinant factors and their impact on wellbeing, further exploring the perception and awareness levels of the maritime society on the issue. Moreover, the effectiveness of main regulatory instruments to address seafarers' wellbeing is analysed and discussed. Qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews and content analysis was applied. Twenty-six active seafarers of different nationalities and working on different types of vessels, one pilot and 11 influential maritime stakeholders of the industry were interviewed. The literature review shows that wellbeing can only be fully understood when considering its physical, mental and social dimensions, and emphasizing its significance the workplace. However, the study indicates that despite high awareness of such dimensions and determinant factors of wellbeing, the psychosocial working conditions provided by shipowners onboard ships are not in full compliance with a holistic view of wellbeing. Moreover, shipping companies lack promotion and training on awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues onboard ships and how to handle them, as the existing safety management system is based on incident and accident reduction principles. Results expose excessive workload and lack of sleep (as a result of reduced manning) as major contributors to fatigue further causing deterioration of seafarers' wellbeing. Other revealed factors include long contracts, lack of shore leave, unavailability of recreational facilities and internet connection, lack of onboard socialising, fear of job loss and stress/anxiety. The regulatory instrument MLC 2006 sets out basic seafarers' rights but does not fully capture their wellbeing to its fullest. Seafarers' wellbeing is unlikely to improve unless awareness of the concept of wellbeing is installed within the SMS and all of its dimensions are well addressed in future amendments of the regulatory instruments.