Tech
New survey
from ICS and
ECSA paints
positive picture
for seafarer
internet access
Credit: ics-shipping.org
Credit: lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/
A
new survey from the International Chamber of
Shipping (ICS) and the European Community
Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) reveals that not
only is internet access for seafarers for personal
use on board ships more widespread and
available than previously imagined, but also that
the positive benefits associated with this access
outweigh the feared safety concerns around the
technology.
The responses to the survey carried out by
ICS and ECSA, with support from the Asian
Shipowners’ Association (ASA), indicate that the provision of internet
access to seafarers for personal use may have improved the mental health
and well-being of seafarers (according to 60% of respondents) and the
morale of seafarers in the company (according to 69% of respondents).
82% of those organisations who responded provide internet access to
seafarers for personal use. Despite industry concerns that internet access
may negatively impact upon seafarers obtaining adequate rest and sleep
during periods available for rest, 85% of these companies reported that
this has been unaffected or improved. Similarly, whilst there have also
been concerns expressed as to whether internet access may negatively
or positively impact upon the work performance of seafarers, 96% of
companies reported that this has not deteriorated.
In addition, the majority of companies reported that the number
of incidences of seafarers seeking assistance due to family or home-
related anxieties have stayed the same, despite speculation that
increased communications with family might generate more anxieties
about problems ashore. On another positive note, the vast majority of
companies (93%) responded that the number of reported incidences of
68
online bullying and harassment have not increased, despite speculation
that greater internet access might expose seafarers to this behaviour.
Guy Platten, Secretary General of ICS, said: “This survey provides a
very optimistic picture not only of the positive impact of access to the
internet for the seafarer, but also of the industry’s readiness to embrace
technology that will be commonplace in the future. If you had asked the
same operators whether they offered crew personal access to the internet
only five years ago the results would have been very different.
“We were also pleased to see that a majority of companies have a
written policy related to internet access by seafarers for personal use
on board ships. However, it is quite surprising that nearly a quarter of
companies indicated that they have not put any written policy in place,
and as we move towards greater connectivity this must be considered a
matter of concern in relation to cyber security issues.”
Martin Dorsman, Secretary General
of ECSA added: "Internet access on
ships for seafarers’ personal use is a key
factor in efforts to improve the working
conditions of seafarers and to attract
future generations into the sector –
people to whom a world without the
web is entirely alien. We have been
discussing this topic with our social
partner, the European Transport
Workers’ Federation, in the European
social dialogue.
The results of the survey are very
encouraging – both in terms of
responses received and the state of
Martin Dorsman, Secretary
affairs they have mapped out. They
General of ECSA
show that a large majority of companies
are indeed providing internet on board
for personal use, whilst concerns about possible detrimental effects on
seafarers are shown to be largely unfounded. Nevertheless, the industry
still has some way to go and we look forward to continuing to work with
our social partner to encourage best practice."
The responses indicate that the two primary reasons for not providing
internet to seafarers are concerns about the costs involved (68%) and
concerns about the potential impact on rest/sleep (60%).
The survey on the provision of internet access to seafarers for personal
use on board ships received responses by 276 operators with 11,665
ships, representing 14% of the world fleet, with a profile of respondents
closely reflecting that of the world fleet.
www.ics-shipping.org/
Guy Platten, Secre-
tary General of ICS