Highlights

Abstract

Keywords

۱٫ Introduction

۲٫ Theoretical framework

۲٫۱٫ The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

۲٫۲٫ Support

۲٫۳٫ Internet quality

۳٫ Methods

۳٫۱٫ Procedure

۳٫۲٫ Sample

۳٫۳٫ Measures

۳٫۴٫ Analytical approach

۴٫ Results

۵٫ Discussion and conclusions

۵٫۱٫ Key findings and directions for future research

۵٫۲٫ Policy implications

۵٫۳٫ Limitations

۵٫۴٫ Conclusions

Funding

Declarations of interest

Acknowledgments

References

Abstract

While commercial shipping remained vital for maintaining global supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic, measures imposed to control the spread of infection have disrupted crew changes and impacted interactions with port personnel and among crew members on board. Initial reports indicate that this affected work and life on board, the length of seafarers’ time on board as well as seafarers’ employment and family concerns. However, the consequences for seafarers’ well-being are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on seafarers’ mental health and chronic fatigue, and to analyze the role of potential mitigating factors, notably onboard peer support, external support and Internet quality. Survey responses from 622 seafarers on international commercial vessels were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings suggested that the impact of the pandemic increased seafarers’ fatigue and mental health problems. However, they also indicated ways of mitigating the negative impact of the pandemic and increasing resilience by enhancing support from fellow crew members on board, ensuring the availability of external support and providing fast and reliable Internet access.

۱٫ Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the transportation sector, including the maritime industry. While the cruise industry suspended operations in March 2020 [39], commercial shipping continued to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit at reduced levels in certain sectors and ports [50]. To comply with international maritime conventions that protect the safety, health and welfare of about 1.6 million seafarers worldwide [8], approximately 150,000 crew changes are required each month [50]. However, due to protective measures imposed to control the spread of infection, the repatriation of seafarers has faced unprecedented challenges, leaving many seafarers unable to travel to and from their ship [15], [28].

Initial studies explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on seafarers’ physical health [40] and on their rights to shore leave, medical care and repatriation [20], while Sliskovic [45], Shan [44] and reports from welfare organizations [12], [28] provided insights into the experiences and concerns of seafarers. Recent studies [37], [7] examine the prevalence of mental health problems among seafarers during the pandemic, but it remains unclear to what extent and how these mental health problems are linked to the pandemic rather than to pre-existing causes. To our knowledge, there are no survey studies concerning the impact of the pandemic on seafarers’ fatigue or about the role of potential mitigating factors. In sum, the effects of the pandemic on seafarers’ mental health and fatigue and the influence of potential mitigating factors are not yet well understood.