Work fatigue remains a serious problem in shipping, according to a recent study by Cardiff University. This is despite efforts to better monitor and enforce regulations on working and rest hours on ships.
The study, conducted by the Seafarers International Research Centre, was based on anonymous questionnaires and interviews with more than 2,400 seafarers, both on cargo ships and cruise ships.
According to Professor Helen Sampson, the head of the research, despite formal adherence to the regulations of the Maritime Labour Convention, seafarers still do not receive adequate rest.
The results of the research were made public a few days after the grounding of a 135-meter containership in Norway. The ship ran aground near a residential area and almost struck a house. It was also revealed that the containership had visited three ports within 24 hours before the incident.
According to statements made by the officer on duty to the local authorities, he fell asleep on the bridge shortly before the incident occurred.
Norwegian authorities are already investigating the incident, focusing on whether international regulations on crew rest and working hours were being followed.
Ms. Sampson noted that there is often falsification of work and rest hour records to hide crew overwork.
She emphasized that it is essential to revise the existing regulations to ensure that all seafarers have a period of continuous and adequate rest, based on scientific recommendations for adult sleep.
The findings are concerning: more than one-third of seafarers on cargo ships reported not having had enough sleep in the last 48 hours due to work schedules, port duties, and ship conditions.
The problem has significantly worsened compared to similar surveys in 2016 and 2011, particularly among senior officers, who report more intense work stress and psychological fatigue.
According to the researchers, the shipping industry, which employs more than 1.5 million people worldwide, faces extensive underreporting of these challenges.
Many seafarers, concerned about their job security due to the precarious nature of their contracts, hesitate to report problems.
Equally serious is the issue of access to medical care. Specifically, nearly 20% of seafarers who experienced a serious injury or illness on ocean-going ships reported that they did not receive adequate medical care due to a lack of specialized personnel on board and insufficient telemedicine support.
“The presence of trained medical personnel on ships would ensure that seafarers do not go without necessary medical assistance for long periods,” noted Helen Sampson.
On cruise ships, although the situation is better, about half of the workers reported that they also do not get enough rest due to their work schedules, while about one in ten reported medical problems directly related to their work.
Charts and Tables
Work Fatigue and Medical Care Comparison in Shipping
This dual bar chart illustrates the percentage of seafarers lacking adequate rest on cargo vs. cruise ships and the percentage of seafarers reporting insufficient medical care.
Seafarers Lacking Rest
| Category | Percentage of Seafarers Lacking Rest |
| Cargo Ships | 33% |
| Cruise Ships | 50% |
Seafarers Lacking Medical Care
| Category | Percentage of Seafarers Lacking Medical Care |
| Cargo Ships | 20% |
| Cruise Ships | 10% |
