An academic has received a top maritime award for research that examines the working lives and conditions of seafarers across the global shipping industry.

Emeritus Professor Helen Sampson, former director of Cardiff University’s Seafarers’ International Research Centre, has won The Maritime Foundation Award for Best Book at the Maritime Media Awards for her book Sea-Time: An Ethnographic Adventure.

The book examines the harsh realities faced by many seafarers, including poor working conditions, long periods away from home, and a steady decline in autonomy and authority on board ships.

It also explores structural changes within the shipping industry, including the takeover of family-owned companies and increased consolidation through mergers, which the research suggests have significantly altered life at sea. The findings present a detailed and rarely seen account of shipboard working environments.

According to the research, many seafarers continue working under difficult circumstances because they feel their sacrifices are necessary to support their families. The findings suggest that working conditions at sea have worsened over recent years, even as global shipping has expanded.

Professor Sampson has reportedly spent more than two decades studying seafarers’ working lives, beginning with her first research voyage in 1999. Her work highlights how fear of losing employment often prevents seafarers, many of whom work on short-term or insecure contracts, from reporting problems on board ships.

At any given time, it is estimated that over 1.5 million people are working at sea worldwide, often under demanding conditions. The research highlights that problems faced on board ships are frequently underreported, particularly as many seafarers are employed on precarious contracts and may fear that raising concerns could jeopardise their jobs.

Following the awards ceremony, the Chair of the Maritime Foundation, Richard Clayton, reportedly said that the Maritime Media Awards continue to both celebrate excellence and draw attention to serious issues across the maritime sector. He added that effective communication and strong storytelling are essential for improving security, business practices, and standards within the industry.

Professor Sampson has expressed that the award is dedicated to the seafarers who shared their experiences during her research. She said that the aim of her work is to raise awareness of the challenges faced by seafarers and to contribute to meaningful improvements in their working lives, particularly for a workforce whose contributions are often overlooked.

Reference: Cardiff University