Safety at Sea 2026: Seafarer Welfare Steers the Course to Maritime Success.
Dubai: Safety at Sea, Tristar’s annual forum focused on the health and wellbeing of seafarers, will return to Dubai on November 9, 2026.
The event brings together seafarers joining live from vessels at sea with government officials, maritime regulators, shipowners, charterers, insurers, shipping associations and other industry stakeholders committed to improving the welfare of those working at sea.
By creating a direct channel between seafarers and maritime decision-makers, the forum gives crew members an opportunity to share their experiences and concerns while encouraging industry-wide action to improve working conditions at sea.
Eugene Mayne, Group CEO of Tristar Group, said the company remains strongly committed to supporting seafarers, who play an essential role not only in Tristar’s maritime operations but also in the wider global shipping industry and the supply chains it supports.
“Their resilience is our collective strength and their voice must help shape the future of our industry,” Mayne said.
Mental health and wellbeing among seafarers have become increasingly important issues in discussions about the future of the maritime sector. Greater awareness of the physical, psychological and social pressures faced by people working at sea has also strengthened calls for sustainable, long-term measures to support them.
Tim Coffin, CEO of Tristar Maritime Logistics, described seafarers as the foundation of the company’s success and highlighted their wider contribution to the global economy. He noted that crews often spend extended periods working in physically demanding and potentially hazardous conditions.
Against this backdrop, Coffin said the Tristar Safety at Sea Conference places particular emphasis on recognising and addressing the importance of mental health and overall wellbeing among seafarers.
Through the conference, organisers aim to identify practical solutions that place seafarer wellbeing higher on the agenda of maritime leaders and industry decision-makers. The broader objective is to encourage lasting support and effective measures that become a standard part of how the industry approaches the welfare of its workforce at sea.
This year’s agenda will focus on several issues that directly influence life onboard, including workload and performance management, psychological safety, visible leadership, the social environment aboard vessels, crew cohesion and practical approaches to supporting seafarers’ mental health.
Industry specialists will also examine some of the most pressing challenges facing seafarers, including isolation, fatigue, excessive operational demands, prolonged contracts, difficulties surrounding repatriation and deteriorating mental health.
Renowned maritime leader Dr Grahaeme Henderson, OBE, founder of Together in Safety, will chair the conference. He is also expected to present a framework aimed at strengthening safety at sea, outlining practical steps that could help prevent fatalities and serious incidents.
Other participants include Carl King, a prominent maritime podcaster, and Susanne Justesen, Director of Human Sustainability at the Global Maritime Forum.
Experts from the medical and pastoral care sectors will add further perspectives to the discussions. Speakers include Dr Pennie Blackburn, Clinical Psychologist at ISWAN, and Ben Bailey, Programme Director at The Mission to Seafarers.
Representatives from the Sharjah Maritime Academy will conclude the day’s proceedings by bringing together the key themes discussed during the forum and presenting them within a structured framework focused on practical solutions and the stakeholders responsible for implementing them.
Now entering its eighth year, Safety at Sea 2026 is intended to encourage industry stakeholders to turn discussions around seafarer welfare into meaningful action. As the maritime sector faces increasingly complex challenges, the conference will highlight the importance of ensuring that the people who keep global trade moving receive sustained support from the industry they serve.
This year’s conference will be held in association with Seatrade Maritime. Further information about the Tristar Safety at Sea Conference, including registration details, is available through the event’s official website.
