Alliance Launches Framework to Tackle Misconduct at Sea

The All-Aboard Alliance, a group of companies and organizations focused on improving life for seafarers, has introduced a new initiative aimed at addressing unwanted sexual behavior onboard vessels through the creation of a global framework.

The alliance says there is clear evidence that sexual misconduct at sea is both common and often goes unreported. A 2025 study revealed that 80% of surveyed seafarers had either experienced or witnessed a sexual offense at sea within the past five years.

The new project, named Unspoken, will collect personal accounts from seafarers about their experiences. These insights will be used to help build the industry’s first standardized global framework, designed to support companies in identifying incidents, understanding their severity, and responding appropriately.

“Improving conditions for our seafaring teams means needing to confront some of the uncomfortable truths about the realities of life at sea. In doing so, we are working towards making the maritime sector a more attractive career path. With Unspoken, we have a strong opportunity for a promising framework that the industry, and most importantly, seafarers, will benefit from,” said Mikael Skov, CEO of Hafnia and All Aboard Alliance co-chair.

Through the Unspoken platform, seafarers can anonymously submit parts or all of their stories. Selected accounts may be published on the website to highlight the scale of the issue and help break the silence surrounding it.

The information gathered will allow the alliance to better understand different types of misconduct, how incidents are currently handled, and where improvements can be made in prevention and response.

The alliance emphasized that the Unspoken website is not intended as a reporting or emergency platform. All submissions will be reviewed before publication, and no graphic details, company identification, or personal data will be shared. Every story will be anonymized and used as part of a broader analysis.

Bullying and harassment remain wider issues affecting seafarers. In response, the International Maritime Organization launched an interactive global map in June last year, outlining reporting channels, national policies, and support systems based on flag state. The tool aims to help seafarers access support wherever they are and improve transparency across the industry.

Earlier findings also highlight the scale of the problem. A 2024 report by the Global Maritime Forum’s Diversity\@Sea initiative found that nearly 42% of maritime workers have faced bullying, harassment, or discrimination at sea, while Safer Waves reports that 58% have experienced sexual misconduct.

Estimates suggest that between 8% and 25% of all seafarers encounter harassment and bullying, with the figure rising to over 50% for female seafarers. In the first quarter of 2023, the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network recorded a 45% increase in reported cases compared to the previous quarter, with many incidents involving abuse by senior officers.