Kick-off session for the free-of-charge CruiseConnect sessions. More details to follow.

Hosted in collaboration with Seatrade Cruise

Join us to explore the future of talent acquisition and training in the cruise industry, where nearly 300,000 seafarers from around the globe are employed currently. With the industry poised for significant capacity expansion in coming years, the demand for both crew and shoreside staff is set to rise from this number rapidly. This session will highlight successful recruitment initiatives targeting Asian regions, which contribute a substantial portion of the cruise workforce. We’ll discuss how to attract and engage the next generation of talent, taking into account their evolving workplace expectations. Additionally, the session will focus on effective training programs that prepare new hires for the unique challenges of life on a cruise ship. Attendees will gain valuable insights into building strong local partnerships, aligning with regional workforce expectations, and making cruise careers more appealing for future talent.

Crew wellbeing is more than just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental component of retaining top talent, ensuring high productivity, and fostering long-term growth in the cruise industry. In this panel discussion, we will explore how investments in crew wellbeing lead to improved morale, productivity, and retention in an industry that depends on high levels of human performance and satisfaction.

The panel will examine how different sectors of the maritime industry — from luxury yachts to large-scale cruise ships — are taking a proactive approach to crew wellbeing. We’ll also dive into innovative programs, emerging research on psychological resilience, and the role that destinations and travel play in supporting the mental and physical health of crew members. Experts from various facets of the industry will share their experiences, research, and best practices, offering actionable insights for industry stakeholders looking to enhance their crew retention strategies.

The official start of the Seatrade Maritime CrewConnect Global conference 2024 with welcomes from the Conference Chair and Organiser.

An interactive panel discussion with the leading associations looking at future challenges & regulatory progress – in the Philippines and beyond. The panel will debate many key issues and opportunities including but not limited to availability of cadet berths, the rising need for new skills and the opportunities of the future relating to the energy transition. Outputs from this session and all key discussions throughout CrewConnect Global will be published in the new CrewConnect Global White Papers.

The first of three 20-minute seafarer-focused interviews.
The importance of international standards through the lens of a seafarer.

The ‘Maritime Just Transition Task Force’ is the perfect embodiment of pan-sector collaboration in the pursuit of shared objectives. Established by ICS, ITF, UNGC, ILO and IMO at COP 26, the Task Force is paving the way for training of seafarers in new fuels as the maritime industry progresses on its decarbonisation journey. In this session, a panel of practitioners all personally involved in the project will reveal the latest report from the group and help set the scene for the conference to come.

A panel of leading practitioners and policy influencers debate the next stages of STCW revision. Moving forward with the newly aligned project and working groups to build on DG Move’s grant and put it into action, the panel will discuss the latest progress and what deadlines and/or targets should the industry be adopting that are currently taking too long?