The 5th SAFETY4SEA Singapore Forum, held at The Westin Singapore on October 22, 2025, didn’t just check the box on maritime safety—it challenged the industry to rethink its approach to crew welfare, human performance, and safety culture. With a lineup of experts from across the maritime spectrum, the event zeroed in on the people behind the operations, asking hard questions about how the industry attracts, retains, and supports its workforce in an era of rapid change.
Apo Belokas, Managing Editor of SAFETY4SEA, set the tone by calling out a hard truth: “The industry often focuses on costs but overlooks the measurable returns from investing in human capital.” His words echoed throughout the day, as speakers and panelists dug into the gaps between policy, practice, and human reality. The forum’s sponsors—MACGREGOR, SQEMARINE, and a roster of industry leaders—backed up the message, signaling that crew welfare isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a strategic imperative.
Capt. Daknash Ganasen of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) kicked off the keynote with a stark reminder: “Maritime safety isn’t static. It’s evolving with technology, regulation, and human behavior.” His focus on Singapore’s initiatives to stay ahead of the curve—from digitalization to alternative fuels—set the stage for a day of deep dives into the human side of these changes.
The first panel tackled the elephant in the room: How do you prepare a workforce for a future that’s still being written? Capt. Subhangshu Dutt of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Singapore Branch put it bluntly: “We’re not just training for today’s jobs. We’re training for roles that don’t even exist yet.” Ansuman Ghosh of the UK P&I Club echoed the sentiment, stressing that digital literacy and adaptability are now non-negotiable. Elyn Ong of WISTA Singapore added a crucial layer: “Attracting talent isn’t just about salaries. It’s about purpose, flexibility, and a culture that values people as much as profit.”
The shift from “superhero to human sustainability,” as Belokas framed it, wasn’t just a buzzword. Lennart Ripke of Green-Jakobsen challenged the industry to move beyond blame and rigid hierarchies. “Psychological safety isn’t soft skills—it’s a hard requirement for resilience,” he said. His call for a learning-focused culture resonated with Sundeep Sequeira of OneCare Group, who emphasized that wellness programs aren’t perks; they’re operational necessities. “Seafarers aren’t machines. They need support to stay physically and mentally fit,” he stated.
The forum didn’t shy away from the tough stuff. Mohanaveel Veerappa of Britannia P&I Club laid bare the gaps in STCW training, while Capt. Vishal Gupta of MOL Ship Management called for empathy in addressing seafarers’ challenges. “We talk about safety culture, but do we really listen to the people who live it every day?” he asked.
The final panel brought it all together, with experts like Varun Iyer Mani of Columbia Shipmanagement and Capt. Hari Subramaniam of Howden Group pushing for a proactive safety mindset. “Safety isn’t about checklists—it’s about empowering people to make the right calls in real time,” Subramaniam said. Capt. Ang Lang of Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd. drove the point home with a call for Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) principles: “We need systems that adapt to humans, not the other way around.”
The forum didn’t just highlight problems—it sparked action. From mental health initiatives to training reforms, the discussions pointed to a clear path forward: The industry must invest in its people as much as it invests in ships and tech. As the maritime world grapples with decarbonization, digitalization, and geopolitical shifts, the message was clear: Without a sustainable, supported workforce, even the most advanced fleets will run aground.
The challenge now is turning talk into action. The forum provided the roadmap—will the industry follow it?