As the maritime industry gears up to welcome the IMO’s STCW bullying and harassment training amendments, health experts are urging shipowners to treat this as more than just a box-ticking exercise.

From January 2026, crews will receive additional training on the effects of bullying and harassment onboard, incorporating a trauma-informed approach that recognises how these experiences can affect individuals differently,

Despite the change marking a step forward for crew welfare, leading health and wellbeing service provider, OneCare Group warns that real progress will only happen if its importance is recognised at leadership level.

According to Dr Jens Tülsner, CEO of Marine Medical Solutions, member of OneCare Group, bullying and harassment are not just emotional issues but can lead to physical health problems. “Any kind of negative emotional stress may cause physical impact, like psychosomatic disorders, impaired immune response and consequences of long-term raised stress-hormone levels,” he said.

OneCare Group which offers the full spectrum of health and wellbeing services through its members companies, Marine Medical Solutions, Mental Health Support Solutions, WellAtSea and OneLearn Global, believes the new requirements present a real opportunity to strengthen how the industry addresses wellbeing at sea.

“A trauma-informed approach could bring meaningful change to the industry,” stressed Charles Watkins, Director of Clinical Operations at Mental Health Support Solutions.

“It helps crews see the real impact of bullying and harassment and encourages more thoughtful, safer ways to respond. But it must be part of daily safety practice and supported by leadership. A one-off workshop will not work.”

Mr Watkins said reports of bullying and harassment are rising across industry helplines. Although it is not yet clear whether this is because more people are coming forward or a genuine increase in incidents, he noted that the growing number of women working at sea underlines the need for stronger education and prevention efforts.

Gisa Paredes, Managing Director of WellAtSea, highlighted the importance of connection amongst crew as a means of preventing bullying and harassment “When we get to know the people around us a little better, we gain a sense of empathy for them,” she said. “We often fear what we do not know, and bullying can be a reaction to that fear.”

To tackle this, WellAtSea has introduced team activities that help crew members talk openly about their worries and concerns. These include guided reflection, mindful awareness of themselves and others, and practical exercises in self-management and setting boundaries.
“Without knowing our own personal boundaries, we cannot respect those of others,” added Gisa.

Marinos Kokkinis, CEO of OneCare Group, said, “We have normalised a culture where wellbeing is seen as optional, something to be discussed at conferences but rarely embedded in daily operations.

“While mandatory training in 2026 is a necessary step, it must be more than a formality. If this becomes just another eLearning module followed by a tick in a box, the maritime sector will have missed the point entirely. This training must reflect the real-life dynamics of life at sea. It must explore not just the obvious examples of bullying, but the quieter, more insidious behaviours that go unnoticed or unchallenged.”

The upcoming amendments should be seen as a chance to turn regulation into lasting change at sea, he stressed.