Last Thursday marked the Day of the Seafarer, an occasion to recognise the vital role of the roughly two million men and women who make global trade possible.

The human side of seaborne trade often goes unnoticed, which is why we established a human sustainability programme in 2022. More recently, we launched an initiative to help break the silence around a prevalent yet taboo topic: sexual misconduct at sea.

A 2025 report found that 80% of seafarers surveyed had experienced or witnessed a sexual offence at sea within the last five years alone. And yet, the maritime industry lacks a common framework for preventing and responding to such incidents.

Many people who experience sexual misconduct at sea stay silent. Not because they want to, but because speaking up can feel difficult or unsafe. Unspoken provides a safe space for seafarers—both men and women—to anonymously share their experiences of sexual misconduct at sea.

These experiences can have consequences that last long after a contract or journey ends:

By listening to these stories, we can better understand the realities many face and help create a safer, more inclusive maritime industry for everyone.

We encourage everyone working in the maritime value chain to help spread the word about Unspoken so we can help eliminate the stigma around sexual misconduct and move the industry toward a global framework for preventing and responding to unwanted sexual behaviour at sea.

If you are a seafarer who needs support or simply someone to talk to, confidential help is available through the organisations listed here.

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