Around 80% of world trade by volume is carried by sea, yet the people who make global shipping possible often remain largely invisible.
In Episode 20 of We Can Work It Out, I’m joined by Dr Jason Zuidema, General Secretary of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), to explore the working lives of seafarers and the importance of welfare, dignity and human connection at sea.
Jason has worked in seafarers’ welfare since 1997 and describes the problem of 'sea blindness': we depend upon shipping every day without necessarily seeing the workers behind it. Seafarers can spend months away from their families, living and working in the same environment while dealing with fatigue, isolation and the pressures of an increasingly efficient global shipping industry.
We discuss the work of ICMA and its international network supporting seafarers, fishers and their families. Jason explains how maritime welfare can range from providing transport, Wi-Fi and practical assistance in port to helping workers facing unpaid wages, abandonment, mental-health difficulties or employment problems. Although ICMA is a Christian organisation, its services are provided to seafarers regardless of nationality, religion, culture, gender or ethnic origin.
The conversation explores mental health, suicide prevention, family separation and shore leave, including concerns that many seafarers have little or no opportunity to leave their vessels during a contract. We also examine how technology has transformed communication with home while potentially allowing work to intrude further into rest periods.
Jason discusses the Maritime Labour Convention, describing it as an important international minimum standard but emphasising that it should represent a floor rather than a ceiling for seafarers’ working conditions.
We also consider seafarer abandonment, the challenges of enforcing rights across an international industry, geopolitical conflict and the dangers faced by civilian crews operating in areas affected by war.
The episode returns to the P&O Ferries dismissals of 2022, particularly the mental-health consequences of losing not only employment but also professional identity and workplace community.
Despite these challenges, Jason remains optimistic about the future, describing seafaring as an honourable profession and reminding us that behind global shipping are people whose work, sacrifice and wellbeing deserve far greater recognition.
Enjoy the discussion.
