IN a move set to reshape the representation of maritime workers on the global stage, the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (Iswan) has officially been granted consultative status by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The decision, approved during the 34th Assembly of the IMO in December 2025, marks a pivotal shift in how the health, safety, and psychological well-being of the world’s seafarers are integrated into international law.
Consultative status is a privilege reserved for nongovernmental international organizations that possess specialized expertise and represent critical sectors of the maritime industry. For Iswan, this "seat at the table" means the organization can now provide expert counsel and share direct data and specialist knowledge on the evolving challenges facing seafarers.
Iswan can now influence policy and directly inform IMO decisions and standards to ensure they are practical and seafarer-centric.
It can also represent the lived experiences and concerns of the global seafaring community to the highest regulatory decision-makers.
Iswan's priority agenda includes decarbonization, digitalization, and dignity.
As the maritime industry undergoes a rapid transformation, Iswan intends to use its new position to ensure that the human element is not left behind. Key areas of focus for the network will include:
– Mental health and safety by combating bullying and harassment within the industry.
– Future-proof training that ensures training modules are effective and accessible for the modern seafarer.
– Fair transition and advocating for a seafarer-centered approach as the industry pivots toward decarbonization and increased digitalization.
"This achievement gives Iswan a seat at the table where global maritime policy is shaped," said Simon Grainge, chief executive at Iswan. "We will use this opportunity to lend our voice to those other champions of seafarer welfare already present, advocating for a safer, fairer, and more inclusive maritime sector for the men and women who keep world trade moving."
This recognition ensures that as international maritime regulation evolves, the well-being of the workforce remains a primary consideration rather than an afterthought. By leveraging this consultative role, Iswan aims to bridge the gap between high-level policy and the daily realities of life at sea, ensuring that those who drive the global economy are protected by the laws that govern them.
