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Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) rose slightly to 7.26 in Q4 2025 from 7.05 in Q3
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Improvement signal stabilization towards the end of a volatile year, but pressures remain
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Seafarers cite geopolitical risks, sanctions, and legal uncertainty as key concerns
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Long working hours, limited shore leave, and high operational intensity persist
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Workforce sustainability issues flagged, including long contracts and inequality
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Industry leaders warn gains should not be mistaken for a return to normal conditions
The Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) improved slightly to 7.26 out of 10 in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 7.05 the previous quarter, indicating a modest recovery in seafarer wellbeing towards the end of a volatile year, according to the latest report by The Mission to Seafarers.
The SHI, now running for over a decade, is a quarterly survey conducted by The Mission to Seafarers in partnership with Idwal and NorthStandard, and supported by Inmarsat. It provides insights into working and living conditions at sea and highlights priority areas for sustaining the global maritime workforce.
While the uptick suggests a degree of stabilization after a sharp downturn in the third quarter, the report shows that seafarers continue to face mounting pressures, particularly from geopolitical developments.
Respondents cited concerns over sanctions and evolving legal frameworks, including fears of unwitting involvement in regulatory or criminal breaches beyond their control.
Rising workloads were also highlighted, with some seafarers reporting workweeks exceeding 84 hours, often compounded by inadequate enforcement of rest-hour regulations.
Limited shore leave remains a concern, as officers are perceived to prioritize operational demands over crew welfare breaks. Despite frequent port calls, container ship crews reported minimal opportunities to leave their vessels.
Thom Herbert, Idwal regional lead for Asia, said the findings mirror conditions observed on board vessels.
“Idwal surveyors spend a great deal of time on board vessels, working alongside crews in ports and during some of the most pressured moments in a ship’s operating life. What the Seafarers’ Happiness Index reflects so clearly is what our surveyors also see first-hand: highly professional, resilient seafarers coping with growing workloads, reduced shore leave and increasing demands from shore. The data reinforces that wellbeing cannot be treated as an abstract metric – it is experienced daily on board, and it has real implications for safety, retention and the long-term health of the industry,” Herbert said.
The survey also flagged long contracts and widening disparities across age, rank, and gender, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of the maritime labor pool.
Operational intensity continues to weigh heavily on crews, driven by reduced manning levels and expanding administrative requirements. Connectivity, while widely recognized as essential for well-being, emerged as another pressure point, with respondents noting challenges such as fragmented communication and being digitally connected but physically isolated.
Some improvements were recorded in overall job satisfaction, with seafarers expressing greater contentment with their work, colleagues, and professional identity. Wages and workload management also showed gains, although none returned to the stronger levels seen earlier in the year.
“While the latest Seafarers Happiness Index shows a welcome uptick in overall wellbeing, it should not be mistaken for a return to normality,” said Ben Bailey, director of program, The Mission to Seafarers. “Seafarers continue to face intense operational pressures, long working hours, limited rest and growing anxiety linked to geopolitical uncertainty and complex regulatory environments.”
“These findings are a clear reminder that sustained, meaningful action is still needed to protect seafarer welfare and ensure the long-term sustainability of the maritime workforce,” he added.
Yves Vandenborn, head of loss prevention Asia-Pacific at NorthStandard, said the index remains a key indicator of conditions at sea.
“The Seafarers Happiness Index remains a vital barometer of life at sea, and the volatility seen across the 2025 reports highlights the pressures crews continue to face. It is positive to see that well-being improved at the end of the year, but the data shows that seafarers are still navigating operational, commercial, and geopolitical challenges,” Vandenborn said.
The Mission to Seafarers assists around 1.89 million seafarers worldwide and operates in more than 200 ports across 50 countries, supporting maritime workers of all ranks, nationalities, and beliefs.
Data from both global and national agencies indicate that about 25% of maritime crew serving the international merchant fleet are Filipinos.
