The Human Element: Prioritising Crew Welfare in Global Shipping

In this episode of Alongside, Kait Borsay delves into the critical issue of crew welfare. With guests Captain Yves Vandenborn, NorthStandard’s Head of Loss Prevention and Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager, the discussion focuses on the physical, mental, and social well-being of seafarers.

The episode explores best practices, the impact of global events, the importance of social cohesion, evolving challenges, and future improvements in crew welfare, including the role of technology and communication advancements.

01:09 - Understanding Crew Welfare

02:18 - Best Practices for Crew Welfare

04:33 - Challenges in High-Risk Areas

05:44 - Key Issues Affecting Seafarers

08:37 - Modern Day Challenges

13:51 - Future of Crew Welfare

Meet our speakers

Capt Yves Vandenborn, FNI

I’m a Master Mariner and oversee loss prevention activities in the Asia-Pacific GeoSector with my team of five regional LP executives. A passionate conference speaker, I regularly contribute to shipping industry events. I also firmly believe in giving back to the industry, and am closely engaged in topics including seafarer wellbeing, misdeclared container cargoes, vehicle car carrier fires, and navigation-related incidents. As well as heading our Decarbonisation and People and Wellbeing services, I’m a Fellow of the Nautical Institute. Following my 2020-24 tenure as Hon President of the Nautical Institute Singapore, I became a member of the Nautical Institute’s Global Executive Board.

Capt Kuba Szymanski

Captain Kuba Szymanski is the Secretary General for InterManager, the international trade association for the ship and crew management sector. He began his sea career in 1985 and climbed the Deck Officer ladder with first command of the Gas Carrier “Herman Schulte” in 1999. Since then, he attended Lloyds Academy and obtained a Certificate in Ship Superintendence, before gaining an MBA at the International Business School, Isle of Man and John Moores University (JMU) Liverpool.

In addition to being a member of the Maritime Professional Council of the UK, Capt Szymanski is a fellow of the Nautical Institute and a member of its Executive Board. In 2011 he joined the TK Foundation, which supports non-profit maritime and youth programs, and he currently chairs its HR and Renumeration Committee.

Capt Szymanski is a familiar face on the international maritime conference circuit and also lectures on ship management at the International Business School, Isle of Man. In July 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Solent Southampton University in recognition of his contribution to the maritime industry. In April 2022 Capt Szymanski took up the additional role of Chair of the Board of the 200-year-old Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS), the UK’s oldest maritime charity.