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ISWAN in India will host its annual seminar in Mumbai on 17th December 2025, bringing together key maritime stakeholders to discuss the evolving needs of seafarers, the importance of strong family and organisational support, and the wellbeing of shore staff who serve as the bridge between life at sea and home.

Under the theme Attract, Retain, Sustain: Supporting wellbeing of seafarers and their families, the half-day seminar will convene shipowners, ship managers, crewing agents, government officials, training institutes, welfare organisations, and seafarers themselves to exchange insights, share good practices, and explore new solutions that promote retention and wellbeing across the maritime community.

Key Highlights of the ISWAN India Seminar 2025

• Launch of ISWAN’s SEAS initiative: “First Voyage, Firm Foundations: Strengthening induction to secure retention”, focusing on preparing final-year cadets and seafarers for life at sea through improved induction and onboarding practices.
• Launch of ISWAN’s Shore Staff Workshop: Introduction of a new workshop designed to support shore-based personnel who regularly engage with seafarers and their families, equipping them with tools to manage emotionally sensitive interactions and build stronger relationships. Along with the panel discussion: “Support Ashore: Emotional strength at sea and home”, highlighting the emotional demands placed on shore teams who support seafarers and their families.
• Seafarers’ Voices Session: “Charting the Course”, featuring insights and lived experiences from seafarers of different ranks and backgrounds, both men and women, on challenges and good practices across the industry.
• Collaborative Dialogue: A multi-stakeholder platform bringing together shipowners, managers, welfare organisations, unions, and training institutes to share success stories and identify actionable recommendations.
• Towards a Standardised Induction Framework: A call for industry collaboration to explore mutually recognised induction modules that reduce training fatigue, improve motivation, and enhance retention of young seafarers.

Through these conversations, ISWAN seeks to develop actionable recommendations for the industry, enhancing onboarding practices, strengthening family support mechanisms, and promoting emotional wellbeing both at sea and ashore.

By nurturing a holistic support ecosystem, ISWAN continues its commitment to building a seafarer-centred future in line with its Strategy 2025-2028, ensuring that every seafarer and family feels valued, supported, and equipped to thrive in an evolving maritime landscape.

Contact Information: For more details and to sponsor or register, please get in touch with Mr. Chirag Bahri, International Operations Manager, at [email protected]