Seafarer happiness has fallen for a third consecutive quarter, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI), published by The Mission to Seafarers with Inmarsat and Idwal. The Q3 2026 score of 6.81/10 is down from 6.87 in Q2 and 7.26 at the end of 2025.
Six of the ten measures fell. Those linked to life aboard improved, while those that depend on the ship–shore interface – connectivity, shore leave, wages and welfare ashore - all deteriorated.
Interaction with fellow crew rose to 7.70, the highest-scoring measure, with seafarers repeatedly describing supportive crews as ‘family’.
The report warns that this cohesion is increasingly absorbing failures elsewhere, and the industry risks mistaking that adaptability for acceptable working conditions. Shore leave remains the lowest-scoring measure, falling from 5.72 to 5.46, eroded by shorter port stays, remote terminals, security restrictions and minimum crewing. One respondent reported no shore leave across four consecutive contracts.
Port calls that should offer recovery have become the most intense part of the voyage. “In port, we get slammed with dealing with various cargo, regulatory, and husbandry items, all while the office is pushing for the shortest turnaround time,” said one seafarer.
Connectivity recorded the sharpest fall, from 7.46 to 6.89 – not because technology is failing, but because expectations have risen. Seafarers now ask whether access is affordable and reliable enough to support family life, with data caps forcing crews to ration calls home.
Ben Bailey, Director of Programme, The Mission to Seafarers, said: “Seafarers are telling us that their crewmates are holding them together, and that should give us pause. Strong onboard relationships are something to celebrate, but they cannot be a substitute for proper support ashore. When shore leave disappears for contract after contract and calling home has to be rationed, we are asking crews to absorb problems the industry should be fixing. The resilience they are displaying is a clear warning.”
Gert-Jan Panken, GM and Vice President, Inmarsat Maritime, said: “The latest Seafarers Happiness Index highlights the remarkable resilience of seafarers and the importance of strong relationships and community on board. It also provides valuable insights into where we, as an industry, can do more to enhance their experience at sea. Connectivity continues to play an important role in seafarer wellbeing, and expectations are evolving. Beyond providing internet access, the focus must be on delivering reliable, affordable connectivity that enables meaningful connections with family and friends. These findings are an important reminder of our shared responsibility to keep improving life at sea and supporting the people who keep global trade moving.“
Thom Herbert, Idwal’s Head of Global Strategic Accounts and part of the seafarer advocacy team, said: “When our surveyors walk a ship, the condition of the vessel and the wellbeing of its crew are rarely separate stories. A tired, overstretched crew cannot maintain a ship as it deserves. A poorly maintained ship makes every working day harder, more tiring and less safe. That’s why our grading looks at how a vessel is managed, not just its steel and machinery. This report shows crews holding things together through their commitment to each other. That should concern anyone with a stake in a ship. Crew welfare is not a soft issue alongside vessel condition. It is part of it.”
The SHI is a quarterly survey conducted by The Mission to Seafarers, in partnership with Idwal and Inmarsat, providing vital insight into the lives and experiences of those working at sea.