The maritime industry’s digital revolution is creating a new wave of stress at sea—one that’s not just physical, but psychological. A new research paper, “Technostress at sea: understanding the technological burden on seafarers’ mental health. A call for adequate regulation,” shines a spotlight on the mental health toll of rapid technological change. The study, led by WMU’s Dr. Khanssa Lagdami and co-authored with Dr. Raluca Alexandra Stana of Roskilde University, argues that without proper safeguards, the industry’s push for automation and digitalisation risks leaving seafarers overwhelmed and unsupported.
**What is technostress?**
Technostress isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real, measurable strain. It’s the anxiety of keeping up with new systems, the pressure of constant digital monitoring, and the exhaustion of juggling work and private life when connectivity blurs the boundaries. For seafarers, it’s the frustration of alarms that never stop, the lack of IT support when systems fail, and the fear of falling behind in an industry that’s moving faster than training can keep up.
**The hidden costs of digitalisation**
The paper identifies key sources of technostress, from the relentless pace of change to the lack of proper training. Seafarers are often thrown into digital systems with minimal preparation, expected to adapt on the fly. The hierarchical culture of shipping doesn’t help—open conversations about stress are still rare, leaving many to suffer in silence.
**A call for action**
The authors argue that digitalisation must be paired with human-centred policies. That means comprehensive training, reliable IT support, and regulatory frameworks that protect mental health. As Dr. Lagdami puts it, “A just and human-centred transition is essential.” Without it, the industry risks trading one set of challenges for another—automation may streamline operations, but at what cost to the people who keep the ships running?
This isn’t just about well-being—it’s about operational resilience. A stressed crew is a less effective crew. The paper calls for urgent action, urging policymakers, shipowners, and training providers to prioritise seafarers’ mental health in the digital age. The maritime industry is at a crossroads: it can either lead the way in sustainable, human-centred digitalisation—or risk leaving its workforce behind.