Today, on Day of the Seafarer, we recognise the vital contribution seafarers make to Australia and the global maritime industry.
Seafarers play a critical role in keeping trade moving, supporting supply chains and ensuring communities continue to receive essential goods and services. Their work is often carried out in challenging conditions and far from home.
This year's International Maritime Organization theme, 'Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks', recognises the vital contribution seafarers make to global trade and the challenges they face while working at sea, highlighting the importance of protecting their safety, rights and wellbeing.
Ongoing protection of seafarer welfare
The release of our 2025 Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Annual Report [link] highlights the ongoing importance of protecting seafarer welfare and maintaining safe and fair working conditions across the maritime industry.
The report identified that conditions of employment, including hours of work and rest, continue to be key areas of focus across parts of the sector, with inspection activity continuing to identify and address welfare and safety concerns onboard vessels.
The report also reinforces the importance of accessible reporting pathways, with most complaints continuing to be raised directly by seafarers, demonstrating awareness of rights and confidence in available support systems.
Our role
We continue to work closely with industry, welfare organisations and government partners to support seafarer wellbeing through inspections, engagement, compliance activity and targeted regulatory oversight.
Seafarer wellbeing remains closely linked to safe vessel operations, and the findings from the 2025 MLC Annual Report will continue to inform our compliance and engagement priorities across the sector.
Monitoring compliance with maritime labour standards
In this video, Executive Director Operations Greg Witherall explains AMSA's role in monitoring compliance with the maritime labour convention and why seafarer wellbeing is critical to safe vessel operations.
Related content
- Learn more about the Maritime Labour Convention, what it covers and how seafarers can make complaints.
- Find safety resources and guidance for vessel operators and crew to support safe work and vessel operations.
