A new study from Cardiff University’s Seafarers International Research Centre has revealed a troubling rise in work-related fatigue among cargo ship workers, despite increased efforts to monitor and enforce maritime work and rest regulations.
Drawing on anonymous responses from 1,240 cargo ship workers and 1,202 cruise sector employees, the research highlights serious concerns about sleep deprivation, mental health, and access to medical care at sea.
The findings arrive days after a dramatic grounding incident in Trondheim, Norway, where a cargo vessel narrowly missed a residential home. The ship’s watch officer later admitted to police that he had fallen asleep on duty. Investigators are currently reviewing whether the vessel adhered to mandatory rest hour regulations.
According to the study, over one-third of cargo seafarers surveyed reported having insufficient sleep in the 48 hours prior to completing the questionnaire. Contributors to sleep deprivation included excessive work hours, disruptive shift patterns, port duties, vessel motion, and noise—factors that have worsened compared to similar studies conducted in 2011 and 2016.
The study also found a notable increase in psychological stressors among cargo workers. More seafarers reported struggling with work-related anxiety, general anxiety, and homesickness—factors especially prevalent among senior officers.
Alarmingly, nearly one in five cargo seafarers who experienced a serious illness or injury reported not receiving timely medical attention. Most vessels lacked an onboard medic, leaving the crew dependent on inconsistent telemedical assistance until they reached port.
“Despite better monitoring of staff work/rest hours, fatigue remains an intractable problem for seafarers,” said Professor Helen Sampson, Director of the Seafarers’ International Research Centre. “The recent incident involving the NCL Salten, which called at three ports in 24 hours before running aground, highlights the real-world consequences of fatigue at sea.”
Professor Sampson emphasized that even when vessels comply with the Maritime Labour Convention, seafarers are often still deprived of adequate rest.
“An overhaul of work/rest hour regulations is long overdue. Seafarers need protected, uninterrupted rest periods that meet adult sleep recommendations. Furthermore, onboard medical support is critical—no one should be left to suffer days without care in an emergency far from land.”
With over 1.5 million people working at sea globally—many under precarious contracts—experts believe there is widespread underreporting of fatigue and related health issues, driven by fears of job loss.
The study concludes with urgent recommendations for regulatory reform, improved onboard medical provision, and better enforcement to protect the health and well-being of seafarers.
