The seafarer’s overall happiness index fell to 7.05 out of 10 in 3Q 2025, down from 7.54 in 2Q, according to the Mission to Seafarers’ Seafarers Happiness Index (pdf). The decline is attributable to rising operational pressures ashore and afloat — namely, reduced manning and overloaded administrative duties that reduce time for rest and exercise, shorter port stays that limit shore leave, and deteriorating pay grades for effort as costs and demands rise.

There are still persistent challenges weighing down the index: Misstated working hours — which includes the falsification of rest-hour records — are contributing to excess workloads, fatigue, and lengthy contract periods. While there has been a slight uptick in digital connectivity, widespread access to it remains an issue, with varying vessels reporting poor and costly internet connections.

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