by Dr. Jason Zuidema (ICMA)
The CMA Shipping Conference in Stamford, Connecticut, is one of the most significant maritime gatherings in North America for the cargo and tanker sectors. Organized by Informa together with the Connecticut Maritime Association, the conference brings together shipowners, managers, financiers, and maritime service providers from across the global shipping industry. With more than a thousand participants, the event offers a key opportunity for dialogue on the operational, commercial, and geopolitical issues shaping maritime transport today.
ICMA was present at this year’s conference as part of its ongoing commitment to represent the welfare of seafarers within the broader maritime industry. ICMA General Secretary Jason Zuidema participated in a shipowners’ roundtable on the opening day of the conference. The discussion brought together leaders from major global shipping companies and offered a valuable opportunity to hear directly about their current priorities and concerns. Much of the conversation focused on the immediate impacts of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a development that has had significant operational consequences for global shipping. At the same time, participants also looked toward the future of the industry, including the ongoing transition toward decarbonization and the technological changes that are reshaping maritime transport.
What emerged clearly during the roundtable discussion was the central importance that many industry leaders placed on the safety of seafarers. While commercial pressures and logistical challenges are always present in global shipping, there was broad agreement that the safety of crews must remain paramount. Several speakers emphasized that the industry cannot accept unnecessary risks that would endanger the lives of seafarers. In the context of heightened geopolitical tensions, this perspective has taken on renewed urgency.
The human impact of these developments was underlined in other sessions throughout the day. The Rev’d Mark Nestlehutt, President and CEO of the Seamen’s Church Institute and Chair of ICMA, participated in a panel discussion addressing the operational and geopolitical realities facing shipping today. Drawing attention to the situation in the Gulf region, he reminded the audience that behind every operational disruption are thousands of seafarers working under uncertain and often stressful conditions. “When we realised that the Strait of Hormuz had effectively shut down,” he explained, “there were about a thousand ocean-going vessels caught in the region. That represents roughly twenty thousand merchant mariners suddenly facing a highly uncertain situation.”
Nestlehutt stressed that such disruptions have profound consequences for those on board ships. Seafarers continue to operate their vessels and maintain their responsibilities even while facing insecurity, limited information, and growing anxiety about what may happen next. In such circumstances, the welfare and mental health of crews must remain at the forefront of industry discussions.
Later in the afternoon, another ICMA member organization was featured in a one-on-one conversation. Ben Bailey of The Mission to Seafarers spoke with Seatrade’s Gary Howard about the realities facing seafarers in regions affected by conflict and instability. Bailey shared insights drawn from the experience of chaplains and welfare teams working directly with crews in the Middle East. For many seafarers, he noted, the situation has created significant psychological pressure. “Seafarers are having to come to terms with the fact that there are increasing numbers of routes where it is simply dangerous for them to live and work,” he said, adding that crews transiting the region are experiencing “a real psychological strain” as they continue their duties amid the threat of attacks and instability.
Bailey also emphasized the importance of communication between companies and crews during times of crisis. When seafarers receive clear and regular information from their employers, it can make a significant difference in reducing anxiety and maintaining morale on board. At the same time, welfare organizations remain an essential source of support for seafarers who may feel isolated or uncertain about their situation.
For ICMA, participation in events such as the CMA Shipping Conference is an important part of its mission. Conferences like this bring together the shipowners, operators, and managers who drive the global maritime industry. By being present in these conversations, ICMA and its member organizations can both share their experience of working directly with seafarers and listen carefully to the concerns of industry leaders. These exchanges help ensure that the wellbeing of seafarers remains visible within discussions about operational challenges, market pressures, and geopolitical risks.